Gianotti-Crosti syndrome

Gianotti in 1955, Crosti and Gianotti in 1956.

Acrodermatitis papulosa eruptiva infantilis, acrodermatitis papulosa eruptiva infantilis, acrodermatitis papulose eruptive infantilis, infantile papular acrodermatitis, infantile acrolocalised papulovesicular syndrome, GCS.

Gering contagious childhood disease.

• Boys are more frequently affected
• Very common between the ages of 2 and 6 years
• Seasonal accumulation in spring and autumn

• Incubation period: 1-6 weeks
• The trigger can be a viral infection (HBV, EBV, coxsackie virus, cytomegaloviruses, adenoviruses, enteroviruses, HHV-6, HHV-7, HIV, RSV, parainfluenza virus, parvovirus B19) or a vaccination (sometimes up to 6 weeks ago). In the past, hepatitis was assumed to be the trigger, but this has not been confirmed.

• After 3-4 days, appearance of erythematous, succulent, confluent lichenoid papules
• The prodromes are uncharacteristic. General symptoms: Elevated (subfebrile) temperature, lymphadenopathy, dyspepsia, rhinopharyngitis, bronchitis, tonsillitis, ggl. Hepatomegaly, fatigue, headache a reactive polylymphadenitis

• Lab: BB (leukocytosis, lymphocytosis and monocytosis), ESR, CRP, HBs-AG, HBe-AG, liver enzymes, bilirubin, protein electrophoresis (proliferation of α2-, β- and later γ-globulins)

Acres (cheeks, extremity sides and buttocks).

• In the epidermis, spongiosis, hyper- and parakeratosis, secondary acanthosis and exocytosis are visible
• The stratum papillare and stratum reticulare show subacute vasculitis with perivascular oedema and lymphohistiocytic infiltration

Healing after 2-8 weeks.

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