Unilateral laterothoracic exanthema with coincident evidence of Epstein Barr virus reactivation: exploration of a possible link.

Unilateral laterothoracic exanthem (ULE) was first described in 1962 in the United States and comprehensively elaborated in 1992. Although ULE most commonly occurs in children, ULE can occur in adults. ULE may or may not be preceded by a viral prodrome and is marked by coalescing erythematous papules predominately on one side of the body. ULE usually lasts 4-6 weeks but can last as little as 2 weeks. It has inconsistently been linked to viral infection, in particular parvovirus B-19. I note ULE in an adult with concurrent reactivation of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) that lasted 4 weeks. The role of the reactivation of EBV in human disease and ULE is explored.