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. 2021 Dec;19(12):1746-1751.
doi: 10.1111/ddg.14608. Epub 2021 Nov 10.

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome-like reaction to molluscum contagiosum-Clinical characteristics and response to treatment

Christina Bürgler  1   2 , Lisa Weibel  1 , Agnes Schwieger-Briel  1 , Nicole Knöpfel  1 , Isabelle Luchsinger  1 , Martin Theiler  1
Affiliations

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome-like reaction to molluscum contagiosum-Clinical characteristics and response to treatment

Christina Bürgler et al. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2021 Dec.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a common viral infection. Hypersensitivity reactions reminiscent of Gianotti-Crosti syndrome, termed Gianotti-Crosti syndrome-like reaction (GCLR), have been reported in a subset of patients. We report a series of patients with GCLR, better delineating its clinical presentation and course.

Patients and methods: Retrospective chart review of all children presenting with GCLR at our Pediatric Skin Center between 2015 and 2020.

Results: 26 children (14 boys) with a median age of 6.5 (3-11.3) years were included. GCLR involved the extensor surfaces of the extremities in all patients. More widespread eruptions also affected the trunk and face in 7 (27 %) and 6 (23 %) children respectively. Involvement of the skin overlying the Achilles tendons was a new finding in 4 (15 %) children. Itch was the predominant symptom in 20 (77 %) patients. The rash responded to topical and/or systemic corticosteroids and resolved within four weeks. GCLR was followed by clearance of MC in all patients within 9 (4-24) weeks.

Conclusions: GCLR is a characteristic acute, wide-spread, pruritic papular eruption, which often leads to emergency consultations and anxiety in affected patients. GCLR responds well to corticosteroid treatment, has a benign course, and heralds the healing of MC.

Keywords: Gianotti-Crosti syndrome-like reaction; molluscum contagiosum.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Typical presentation of Gianotti‐Crosti syndrome‐like reaction due to molluscum contagiosum infection with pruritic papules and larger plaques overlying elbows (a), knees (b), ankles (c), and Achilles tendons (d). Concomitant inflammatory change in molluscum contagiosum (e).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Spectrum of morphologies observed in Gianotti‐Crosti syndrome‐like reaction due to molluscum contagiosum. Papules (a), plaques (b), papulovesicles (c), urticarial papules (d), target‐like papules and plaques (e).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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