[Glove-sock syndrome. A new disease entity]

Papular-purpuric "gloves and socks" syndrome (PPGSS) is a rare acute dermatosis characterized by pruritic erythematous and slightly papular lesions on the hands and feet in a "gloves and socks" distribution associated with oral aphtoid lesions and fever. It was first described in 1990 by Harms et al. Until now 17 cases have been reported. In five of these cases an association with Parvovirus-B19 (PB19) was observed, suggesting that PPGSS could be another manifestation of PB19 infection. Since PB19 cannot be shown in all the cases, this virus should be considered as one possible etiologic factor and other viruses may be responsible for this entity as well. A 42 year old Danish woman with PPGSS is described. This case could not be associated to primary PB19 infection.