Gloves and socks syndrome associated with parvovirus B19 infection.

The spectrum of disease caused by parvovirus B19 infection ranges from asymptomatic to a serious disease. Parvovirus B19 plays a role in the pathomechanism of gloves and socks syndrome, erythema infectiosum, acute polyarthralgia, aplastic crisis in persons with hemolytic anemia, and birth defects. Gloves and socks syndrome has an acute febrile course. Painful edema of hands and feet, and numerous small confluent petechiae in the same localization are the most characteristic signs. Blisters and erosions may occur in oral mucosa. General discomfort and arthralgia accompany skin lesions. The disease tends to be self-limiting. A typical case of gloves and socks syndrome in a 36-year-old woman is reported. Serological tests disclosed the parvovirus B19 infection, confirming the causal relationship between the syndrome and this infection.