Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta 261568 217902563 2008-06-08T06:23:42Z Antelan 1872534 More common formulation {{Infobox_Disease | Name = Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta | Image = PLEVA.jpg | Caption = | DiseasesDB = | ICD10 = {{ICD10|L|41|0|l|40}} | ICD9 = {{ICD9|696.2}} | ICDO = | OMIM = | MedlinePlus = | eMedicineSubj = derm | eMedicineTopic = 334 | MeshID = }} '''[[Pityriasis]] Lichenoides et Varioliformis Acuta''', or '''[[Viktor Mucha|Mucha]] [[Rudolf Habermann|Habermann]]'s Disease''', short form '''PLEVA''', is a [[disease]] of the [[Immune system#Disorders of the human immune system|immune system]]. It is the more severe version of [[Pityriasis lichenoides chronica]]. The disease is characterized by [[rash]]es and small [[lesion]]s on the [[Skin#Aging and disease|skin]]. The disease is most common in males and usually occurs in childhood, although it has been seen in every age group and every race. It is possible for the disease to go into [[remission]] for short periods of time or forever. ==Diagnosis== It is commonly misdiagnosed as chickenpox or [[rosacea]]. The most common way to [[Diagnosis|diagnose]] is by [[biopsy]]. This disease has not been known to be life threatening. ==Causes== There is no known cause of this disease;<ref name="title-PLEVA, or Mucha-Habermann disease - MayoClinic.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pleva/AN00709 |title=PLEVA, or Mucha-Habermann disease - MayoClinic.com |accessdate=2007-11-18 |format= |work=}}</ref> however, many links from [[viruses]], [[vaccines]], and other illnesses have been made. There is some evidence associating it with [[Parvovirus B19]].<ref name="pmid-15268707">{{cite journal |author=Tomasini D, Tomasini CF, Cerri A, ''et al'' |title=Pityriasis lichenoides: a cytotoxic T-cell-mediated skin disorder. Evidence of human parvovirus B19 DNA in nine cases |journal=J. Cutan. Pathol. |volume=31 |issue=8 |pages=531–8 |year=2004 |pmid=15268707 |doi=10.1111/j.0303-6987.2004.00186.x}}</ref> The easiest way to understand this disease is to think of it like this: Everyone has [[T cells]] that fight disease; in a person with PLEVA, the T cells get mixed up and decide to form in the skin, causing the lesions. It is unknown why this happens. The trigger which causes the dysfunctional immune system response, PLEVA, is unknown; bacterial, viral, and environmental causes are suspected, but not conclusively demonstrated. ==Treatment== It is not contagious and currently there is no cure for the disease, although the lesions can be treated with [[Ultraviolet#Health effects|ultraviolet therapy]] as well as topical [[Steroid|steroids]] and [[Antibiotic|antibiotics]]. Treatment often involves multiple therapies that address the immune system and bacterial, viral, or dermatological causes. ==See also== * [[Parapsoriasis]] ==References== {{reflist}} == External links == * {{DermNet|scaly/pityriasis-lichenoides}} [[Category:Immune system disorders]] {{Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue}} [[de:Pityriasis lichenoides et Varioliformis acuta]]