Gianotti Crosti syndrome

Last Updated: 2021-10-15

Author(s): Anzengruber F., Navarini A.

ICD11: -

Gianotti 1955, Crosti und Gianotti 1956.

Acrodermatitis papulosa eruptiva infantilis, Acrodermatitis papulosa eruptiva infantilis, Akrodermatitis papulose eruptive infantilis, infantile papulöse Akrodermatitis, infantiles akrolokalisiertes papulovesikulöses Syndrom, GCS.

Minor childhood contagious disease.

  • Boys are more frequently affected.
  • Mostly occurring at the age of 2-6 years.
  • Seasonal accumulation in spring and autumn.

  • Incubation period: 1-6 weeks.
  • 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) can be the trigger. In special cases, irritation of Mollusca contagiosa can lead to a generalized Gianotti-Crosti syndrome.

In the past, hepatitis was thought to be the cause, which was not confirmed.

  • After 3-4 days, erythematous, succulent, confluent lichenoid papules.
  • The prodromi are uncharacteristic. General symptoms: Elevated (subfebrile) temperature, lymphadenopathy, dyspepsia, rhinopharyngitis, bronchitis, tonsillitis, occasional hepatomegaly, reactive polylymphadenitis. fatigue, headaches.

  • Laboratory: Blood count (leukocytosis, lymphocytosis and monocytosis), BSG, CRP, HBs-AG, HBe-AG, liver values, bilirubin, protein electrophoresis (reproduction of β-, β- and later α-globulins).

Acra (cheeks, extremity sides and buttocks).

  • Spongiosis, hyper- and parakeratosis, secondary acanthosis and exocytosis are visible in the epidermis.

  • The papillary stratum and the reticular stratum show subacute vasculitis with perivascular edema and lymphohistiocytic infiltration.

Healing after 2-8 weeks.

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