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