The Serum Immunoglobulin E Level: Is There a Relationship With the Clinical Course of the Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome?

Background: Gianotti Crosti syndrome (GCS) is a self-healing condition with a spontaneous resolution in 2-6 weeks but, even if rarely, recurrent episodes have been reported. Objective: The aim of this observational study is to investigate serum Immunoglobulin E (IgE) level in children with GCS, evaluating if there is a relationship between IgE level and clinical course of the disease. Methods: Children with GCS diagnosed at a tertiary care children's university hospital between June 2018 and November 2019 were prospectively enrolled. Demographic, clinical and hematochemical data of children investigated were collected. In particular, IgE level were investigated at symptoms onset and, if available, at the following blood tests. Patients were divided in 2 groups on the bases of the clinical course: children with a chronic relapsing course and children who did not present any relapse. Results: Among 29 patients enrolled in this study, 14 (48.3%) children had a chronic relapsing course and 15 (51.7%) did not present any relapse. A statistically significant difference was present considering the length of the disease: 210 days (IQR: 161.25-255) for patients with a chronic relapsing course compared to 40 days (IQR: 30-75) for the other group (p < 0.0001). About the median IgE level in the 2 groups, a value about 10 time higher was found in children with chronic course compared to the other group (1,144 vs. 116 U/mL) with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Despite the study limitations, a significant correlation between higher IgE levels and chronic-relapsing course of the GCS can be assumed.

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome (papular acrodermatitis of childhood) in the era of a viral recrudescence and vaccine opposition

BACKGROUND

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome is characterized by an acute onset of a papular or papulovesicular eruption with a symmetrical distribution.

DATA SOURCES

A PubMed search was conducted using Clinical Queries with the key terms "Gianotti-Crosti syndrome" OR "papular acrodermatitis". The search strategy included meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, observational studies, and reviews. This paper is based on, but not limited to, the search results.

RESULTS

The eruption of Gianotti-Crosti syndrome is found predominantly on the cheeks, extensor surfaces of the extremities, and buttocks. There is a sparing of antecubital and popliteal fossae as well as palms, soles, and mucosal surfaces. Although often asymptomatic, the lesions may be mildly to moderately pruritic. Gianotti-Crosti syndrome is most common in children between 1 and 6 years of age. The Epstein-Barr virus and the hepatitis B virus are the most common pathogens associated with Gianotti-Crosti syndrome. No treatment for Gianotti-Crosti syndrome is necessary because it is self-limited. In an era of vaccine hesitancy and refusal, Gianotti-Crosti syndrome may be important to mention to parents, because it can occur and trigger alarmism.

CONCLUSIONS

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome is mainly a disease of early childhood, characterized by an acute onset of a papular or papulovesicular eruption with a symmetrical distribution. With the advent of more universal vaccination against hepatitis B virus, Epstein-Barr virus has become the most common etiologic agent of Gianotti-Crosti syndrome. Few cases of post-vaccination Gianotti-Crosti syndrome have been reported. Currently, the emphasis should be placed on its self-limiting attribution.

A case-control study on the association of pulse oral poliomyelitis vaccination and Gianotti-Crosti syndrome

BACKGROUND

Since 1995, the Indian government has been launching two National Immunization Days (NIDs) annually to administer oral polio vaccines (OPVs) to children under the age of 5. Our aim was to investigate the association between OPVs and Gianotti-Crosti syndrome (GCS).

METHODS

A board-certified dermatologist in solo practice conducted the examinations. The patients consulted without the need of a referral. We retrieved files of all children under the age of 5 who were diagnosed with GCS in 18 months. There were three NIDs during these months. We charted the number of children 1 month before, 1 week before, 1 week after, and 1 month after the three NIDs.

RESULTS

A total of 116 children (49 boys and 67 girls) under the age of 5 with GCS were found (average age: 2.9 years) within these 18 months of three NIDs. Eleven (9.5%) and 105 (90.5%) children developed GCS 1 month before and 1 month following OPV administration, respectively (RR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.40-2.35; P < 0.0001). Three (2.6%) and 58 (50.0%) children developed GCS 1 week before and 1 week after OPV administration, respectively (RR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.12-3.22; P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The administration of OPV is significantly associated with the occurrence of GCS in the part of the world that we investigated. As we demonstrated a temporal relationship, this association is likely to be causal.

Is Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome Associated with Atopy? A Case-Control Study and a Postulation on the Intrinsic Host Factors in Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether Gianotti-Crosti syndrome (GCS) in children is associated with atopy.

METHODS

The setting was two outpatient clinic. Diagnoses of asthma and atopic dermatitis (AD) were made according to internationally accepted diagnostic criteria. Allergic rhinitis, atopic urticaria, and allergic conjunctivitis were diagnosed clinically. Participants were children with GCS diagnosed over the previous 5 years. For any child with GCS, we extracted the record of the subsequent age and sex pair-matched child seen for problems unrelated to the skin as controls.

RESULTS

We retrieved the records of 37 pairs of study and control subjects; 28 (76%) children with GCS and 9 (24%) controls had AD (risk ratio [RR] = 3.11[95% confidence interval {CI} 1.73, 5.73]), 31 (84%) children with GCS and 19 (51%) controls had at least one atopic condition (RR = 1.63 [95% CI 1.13, 2.18]) and 11 (30%) children with GCS and 2 (5%) controls had at least three atopic conditions (RR = 5.50 [95% CI 1.29, 35.35]).

CONCLUSION

GCS is significantly associated with AD and the presence of atopic conditions.