Erythema multiforme in a patient with acute human parvovirus B19 infection

Erythema multiforme due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in two children

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is an important and highly relevant cause of bullous erythema multiforme, isolated mucositis, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome in children. In this article, we present two children with respiratory Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and associated cutaneous findings within the spectrum of erythema multiforme. We review the literature associating these three entities with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and discuss controversies regarding the classification of erythema multiforme, as well as update reported infectious causes of the bullous form. Many understand the erythema multiforme spectrum to include bullous erythema multiforme, mucositis, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome in the order of increasing severity. We feel that this relationship should be reconsidered to help better understand the prognosis and outcomes. It is our opinion that bullous erythema multiforme is a separate, yet related condition that can occur in the context of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. With many similarities to mucositis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, bullous erythema multiforme can be considered part of a spectrum of disease that includes Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Unlike mucositis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, bullous erythema multiforme caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection has low morbidity for the child. Mycoplasma pneumoniae-associated mucositis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome seem to occur along a spectrum with separate prognosis and potential pathogenesis compared with bullous erythema multiforme. Making the distinction between these conditions is valuable for predicting the child's prognosis. Patients who develop symptoms consistent with these conditions should be appropriately evaluated for Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and closely monitored.

Neurological manifestations of human parvovirus B19 infection

Since its discovery, human parvovirus B19 has been linked with a broad spectrum of clinical syndromes. An aetiological role for the virus has been confirmed in erythema infectiosum, transient aplastic crisis, persistent infection manifesting as pure red cell aplasia in immunocompromised persons, non-immune hydrops fetalis and arthritis. Less commonly recognised, but receiving increasing attention recently, are the neurological manifestations, a variety of which have been described in patients with either clinically diagnosed or laboratory confirmed B19 infection. The purpose of this review is to summarise present knowledge of B19, its known and potential pathogenic mechanisms and its association with human diseases, particularly those with neurological manifestations. The outcome of the review supports an aetiological role of the virus in neurological disease. However, the pathogenesis remains unknown and elucidating this is a priority.

Papular-purpuric gloves-and-socks syndrome with bloody bullae

Papular-purpuric gloves-and-socks syndrome (PPGSS) is a disease characterized by itchy, painful acral erythema with edema, confluent papules, and purpura in a gloves-and-socks distribution and is associated with fever and mucosal lesions. Parvovirus B19 and other viral infections have been proven to be causative agents of this syndrome. Its histological findings have been the non-specific ones of interface dermatitis. Here, we report a case of PPGSS in a 44-year-old man that we believe to be the first such case in Japan. He developed, within one day, a painful edematous eruption with confluent papules and purpura on his hands and feet accompanied by high fever. A unique clinical manifestation in this case was multiple bloody bullae on the toes, which have not been previously described. Serological tests were negative for parvovirus B19, cytomegalovirus, and measles virus.

Parvovirus B19: a review

Infection with parvovirus B19 may result in a wide range of dermatologic manifestations. The specific skin findings include erythema infectiosum and papular purpuric "gloves-and-socks" syndrome. The nonspecific findings include reticular erythema, maculopapular eruptions, and petechiae and purpura, as well as other less frequently described findings. Associations with other dermatologic diseases, such as erythema multiforme and erythema nodosum, also have been described. A role in the pathogenesis of various collagen vascular disorders has been suggested and is under investigation. The diagnosis of infection rests on the typical clinical findings. Whenever parvovirus B19 infection is diagnosed, the physician must ensure that neither the patient nor his or her contacts is a member of certain vulnerable populations. In these populations, infection with parvovirus B19 may result in devastating complications. The vulnerable populations include those with hematologic disease, immunosuppressed patients, and pregnant women. Treatment of infection in the healthy immunocompetent individual is asymptomatic, and the acute infections typically resolve without complications.

Parvovirus infection of keratinocytes as a cause of canine erythema multiforme

Erythema multiforme major was diagnosed in a dog with necrotizing parvoviral enteritis. Skin lesions consisted of ulceration of the footpads, pressure points, mouth, and vaginal mucosa; vesicles in the oral cavity; and erythematous patches on the abdomen and perivulvar skin. Microscopic examination of mucosal and haired skin specimens revealed lymphocyte-associated keratinocyte apoptosis at various levels of the epidermis. Basophilic cytoplasmic inclusions were seen in basal and suprabasal keratinocytes. Immunohistochemical staining, performed with canine parvovirus-2-specific monoclonal antibodies, confirmed the parvovirus nature of the inclusions in the nucleus and cytoplasm of oral and skin epithelial cells. This is the first case of canine erythema multiforme reported to be caused by a viral infection of keratinocytes. This case study indicates that the search for epitheliotropic viruses should be attempted in cases of erythema multiforme in which a drug cause cannot be identified.

[Human parvovirus B19 infection. Update]

Pathogenicity of parvovirus B19 has been demonstrated. The spectrum of clinical manifestations varies according to the age and immune status of affected patients. Parvovirus B19 is the aetiologic agent of erythema infectiosum in children. In normal adults, it is responsible for acute, bilateral and symmetrical arthritis, although chronic arthritis can develop. Parvovirus B19 has a particular tropism for erythroid precursors: in patients with underlying hemolysis, it induces transient aplastic crisis; in immunosuppressed patients the virus can lead to chronic pure red cell aplasia. Hydrops fetalis is one of the most severe manifestation of the infection. Diagnosis of recent parvovirus B19 infection is based upon serology and PCR, especially in immunosuppressed patients in whom polyvalent intravenous immunoglobulins must be started. The link between parvovirus B19 and systemic vasculitis is questioned.

Are viruses associated with aphthae and oral vesiculo-erosive disorders?

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons in District General Hospitals in UK often carry the major workload of patients with chronic oral ulcerative conditions. Although the immunopathogenic basis of many of these is being unravelled, the aetiology is often unclear, though a role for viruses is increasingly suspected. This paper reviews the current evidence.