Gianotti-Crosti syndrome associated with HBV infection in an adult

Cutaneous Manifestations of Chronic Liver Disease

Given the visibility of cutaneous findings, skin manifestations are often a presenting symptom of underlying systemic disease, including chronic liver disease. Many cutaneous signs and symptoms that correlate with chronic liver disease are common physical examination findings in patients with no history of liver disease. It is nonetheless important to be aware that these cutaneous findings may be an indication of underlying liver disease and often occur in the setting of such hepatic dysfunction. This article covers general cutaneous signs that may correlate with various liver diseases and describes specific cutaneous signs as they relate to more specific liver diseases.

Urticarial exanthema due to hepatitis B in a pregnant woman, mimicking a polymorphic eruption of pregnancy

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pregnant women is very rare in western countries, thus, cutaneous manifestation of HBV infection may be confused with a dermatosis specific of pregnancy. We report a 39-year-old woman who presented in her 20th week of pregnancy with a pruritic rash, which consisted of generalized erythematous plaques, some of them with a purple centre. Serology testing showed acute HBV infection, and a biopsy revealed a superficial and interstitial perivascular inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes and eosinophils. A diagnosis of exanthema due to acute hepatitis B infection was established. The patient delivered a clinically healthy boy, who was given the first dose of the HBV vaccine and intravenous specific immunoglobulin, followed by the second dose 2 months later, and did not get infected with HBV. To our knowledge, this is the first case describing HBV exanthema in a pregnant woman, which led to early action for the newborn, avoiding vertical transmission and its high prevalence of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Cutaneous infectious diseases: Kids are not just little people

The changes in immune response that occur with age play a significant role in disease presentation and patient management. Evolution of the innate and adaptive immune systems throughout life, influenced partly by hormonal changes associated with puberty, plays a role in the differences between pediatric and adult response to disease. We review a series of manifestations of dermatologic infectious diseases spanning bacterial, viral, and fungal origins that can be seen in both pediatric and adult age groups and highlight similarities and differences in presentation and disease course. Therapeutic options are also discussed for these infectious diseases, with particular attention to variations in management between these population subgroups, given differences in pharmacokinetics and side effect profiles.

Systemic abnormalities in liver disease

Systemic abnormalities often occur in patients with liver disease. In particular, cardiopulmonary or renal diseases accompanied by advanced liver disease can be serious and may determine the quality of life and prognosis of patients. Therefore, both hepatologists and non-hepatologists should pay attention to such abnormalities in the management of patients with liver diseases.

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome in two adult patients

BACKGROUND

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome was first described in Italy by Gianotti in 1955. It is considered a benign, self-limited exanthem that occurs in younger children. Adult cases are rare.

OBJECTIVE

We report two cases of Gianotti-Crosti syndrome in a previously healthy 37-year old Asian and 21-year old Caucasian female.

METHODS/RESULTS

Histopathological analysis of 4-mm punch biopsies from the upper extremity of both patients revealed an interstitial dermatitis with mild to moderate perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate and occasional scattered eosinophils in the superficial and mid-dermis. Clinicopathological correlation was consistent with Gianotti-Crosti syndrome.

CONCLUSION

Since both patients experienced significant pruritus, patient 1 was initially treated with a high potency topical corticosteroid followed by a two-week course of oral prednisone and patient 2 was treated with a potent topical corticosteroid. Both patients were asymptomatic at follow-up 3 to 4 weeks after their initial presentation.

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome in a child following hepatitis B virus vaccination

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome is self-limited, characterized by papular eruption with a symmetrical distribution on the limbs and face of children, and a dermatosis of unknown etiology. However, there are many suggested factors such as a number of diseases (viral or bacterial) and vaccination. We report a case of Gianotti-Crosti syndrome that had developed 3 weeks after the hepatitis B virus vaccination.