Background

The Authors report a case of chronic cutaneous lesions in a patient affected by prolidase deficiency, a rare disorder inherited through an autosomal recessive gene (50 cases reported ).

The enzyme prolidase is widely distributed throughout the body and it is important in the recycling of proline and hydroxyproline. Among the clinical presentations, the most striking manifestation is the skin fragility with leg ulceration (see Table 1)

Table 1 Clinical signs of prolidase deficiency
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The deficiency of the enzyme prolidase is responsible for massive loss of proline in the urine which is estimated to be as high as 3 g/die. The diagnosis is ascertained by iminopeptiduria greater than 5 mmol/24h. A characteristic feature is absolute resistance to all forms of treatment including rejection of skin grafts.

Materials and methods

A 42 year-old woman affected by Prolidase Deficiency was observed because of the recurrence of leg ulcers (Figure 1). All clinical findings and laboratory data (iminopeptiduria > 6 mmol/die) lead to a diagnosis. Administration of corticosteroids and of ointments were performed with no results. In 1998 an autologous skin transplant with the rejection of a skin graft. In 2007 administration of high dose corticosteroids with a partial regression of symptomatology. In October 2008 clinical feature suggested to cover all the lesion with hologous skin graft which was then partially rejected.

Figure 1
figure 1

PD skin lesions before and after combined treatmnet

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In January 2009 and all lesions were covered and during follow-up the use of autologous PLT-gel for 10 weeks was proposed. From the third application clinical data showed good results and after the tenth application all the lesions were treated with advanced devices. No signs of infection were present. The patient is now going into complete remission of skin lesions.

Discussion

Use of platelet gel is commonly accepted for the treatment of leg ulcers because it is rich in growth factors. Their presence could be a key to block the onset of a flogistic reaction to proline and hydroxyproline account in derma. All clinical investigations shows that after the PLT gel application there is not a rejection to homologous skin implants but an improvement in symptomatology and inability.