Granuloma annulare-like eruption due to chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection

A 32-year-old woman afflicted with a severe, chronic Epstein-Barr virus (CEBV) infection of 12 months' duration developed an unusual, granuloma annulare-like eruption. The cutaneous disorder, which paralleled the clinical course of her disease, was characterized by slightly raised, erythematous, annular lesions predominantly involving the face and arms, with sporadic involvement elsewhere. Histopathologic examination of biopsy material obtained from affected skin disclosed a granulomatous dermatitis. The patient's symptoms and cutaneous eruption resolved after systemic corticosteroid therapy. This eruption may represent a distinct cutaneous component of CEBV infection with clinically granuloma annulare-like features or the mere serendipitous association of CEBV infection and an unusual granulomatous dermatitis. Because of the unusual clinical appearance of the eruption and its clear correlation with disease activity, we speculate that it likely represents a distinct cutaneous condition, heretofore unreported, caused by CEBV infection.