[Two cases of baboon-like exanthema in primary parvovirus B19 infection]

Abstract

Introduction: Primary parvovirus B19 infection may present a wide variety of dermatological features. We report two cases of parvovirus infection presenting as flexural erythema of baboon syndrome induced by various drugs, but associated with purpuric or oedematous features.

Case reports: A pregnant 23-year-old woman at 39 weeks of amenorrhoea and a 49-year-old woman consulted for flexural eruption in a setting of fever. In both cases, clinical examination revealed erythematosus rash in the major skin folds, with vesicles and elements of purpura in the former patient and bullous oedema in the latter. In both cases, the diagnosis of primary parvovirus B19 infection was confirmed by positive PCR screening of viral genome and by seroconversion after two weeks. The skin lesions regressed spontaneously within several days.

Discussion: Although initially linked solely with systemic drug toxicity, baboon syndrome has since been reported in connection with other allergens (drug reactions, contact dermatitis, viral and streptococcal infection). Among these causes, parvovirus B19 infection merits particular interest.