Pityriasis Varioliformis Acuta

Pityriasis varioliformis was first described in Europe by Mucha1in 1916. Wise and Sulzberger2recorded the first American case in October 1930, and Senear and Oliver3published the first comprehensive paper on the subject in this country in 1931. About 65 cases have been reported to date in the world literature. Complete bibliographies on pityriasis varioliformis have been given in papers by Juliusberg,4Senear and Oliver3and Gross.5It is the purpose of this report to describe a severe and extensive type of pityriasis varioliformis, presenting bullous lesions heretofore rarely described, which could be classified as pityriasis varioliformis bullosa acuta. Laboratory studies were made to determine, if possible, the presence of changes in the blood or its chemistry that could throw light on the etiology of the disorder. The extensive cutaneous involvement, the presence of bullae and the unusual clinical findings heretofore not recorded