[Adult papular acrodermatitis (Gianotti's disease). Report of 3 cases]

The authors report three cases of adult papular acrodermatitis with circulating HBs antigen. The eruption was followed by a benign icteric hepatitis which lasted from 30 to 45 days. In two cases, HBs antigen disappeared in a one month period, in one case the antigen has been present for more than three months. Direct immunofluorescence staining exhibits c3 deposits in the vessels of the dermal lesions, without any deposition of immunoglobulins or fibrinogen. We were unable to demonstrate the presence of HBs and " e " antigens in the skin lesions (using FITC conjugated specific antiserums). Serum protein concentrations of complement components C1q, C4,C3, C3PA were normal as measured by radial immunodiffusion. The percentage of circulating B and T cells was normal, as essayed by E-RFC, EAC-RFC and sIg. Thus, adult papular acrodermatitis, as well as the infantile form, does represent a sign of invasion of a benign viral hepatitis.