A distinctive erythematous macular exanthem of the adult: a new entity?
BACKGROUND
Delineating a new exanthem is difficult. Atypical or modified types of already known conditions can easily be mistaken for new entities.


OBJECTIVE
To report 29 cases of an acute, self-limiting exanthem never described before.


METHODS
Clinical description, serology, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other laboratory investigations.


RESULTS
The eruption starts with bright pink-red slightly oedematous macules symmetrically arranged on the trunk. The lesions tend to coalesce, and spread to the limbs on which they may acquire a marginated annular appearance. The lesions invariably spare the face (including oral mucous membranes), palms and soles. The eruption is pruritic and lasts 20-30 days, clearing spontaneously. The disease has a predilection for men aged 17-56 years and occurs mostly between spring and summer. Serological tests, PCR assays and investigations for bacteria, parasites or viruses were consistently negative.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical picture does not recall any of the classical exanthems or their atypical forms.
Department of Endocrinological and Metabolic Sciences, Section of Dermatology, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 7, 16132 Genoa, Italy. lonetti@unige.it
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Drago
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Basso
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Rebora
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004890:Erythema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D005076:Exanthema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012621:Seasons