Simultaneous occurrence of pure red cell aplasia and papular-purpuric 'gloves and socks' syndrome in parvovirus B-19 infection.

Papular-purpuric 'gloves and socks' syndrome (PPGSS) has been associated with parvovirus B-19 infection. We report a case of an adult immunocompetent male who presented with PPGSS. Bone marrow examination revealed pure red cell aplasia. Parvovirus B-19 DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction in the patient's serum, whole blood and in the cutaneous lesions. This report illustrates the variety of clinical manifestations caused by B-19 infection, presents for the first time the concurrent appearance of pure red cell aplasia and PPGSS in the same patient and, finally, suggests that PPGSS may be due to direct lytic effect of the virus.