Unilateral laterothoracic or asymmetric periflexural exanthem: is time to change the name of the disease?

Unilateral Laterothoracic Exanthem – Asymmetric Periflexural Exanthem of Childhood – a Case Report and Literature Review

Unilateral laterothoracic exanthem (ULE), or asymmetric periflexural exanthem of childhood (APEC), is an uncommon skin eruption that usually occurs in childhood, with unilateral distribution and self limiting course. The etiology of ULE is unknown, but viral cause is suspected. We report a case of ULE in a 4-year-old girl, that was associated with parvo virus B19 infection, and a brief selected literature review. The patient presented with unilateral maculopapular rash on the left side of the body which was asymptomatic and resolved spontaneously within 5 weeks. The clinical diagnosis of ULE may be precise, ruling out a broad spectrum of differential diagnosis, and prevent unnecessary examinations, whereas the patient is informed about the benign self-limiting nature of ULE.

Contemporary infectious exanthems: an update

An exanthem is a skin rash that may be associated with mucous membrane eruption, fever or other symptoms. It may develop as manifestation of an infectious disease or as adverse reaction to drugs. Beside the ‘classical exanthems’ commonly occurring in childhood, other exanthems, defined as ‘atypical’ for the different morphology and causal agents, may occur. Among the atypical exanthems with infectious etiology, viral, bacterial, parasitic and helminth infections are implicated. We describe herein etiology and epidemiology of the atypical exanthems caused by infectious agents. In case of exanthem, to make a correct etiological diagnosis is crucial for both the patient and community concerning issues such as time off school, immunizations and risk in pregnancy and immunocompromised individuals.