KoplikFlecken

Koplik's spots, also known as Koplik spots or Koplik's maculopapular rash, are a characteristic skin rash associated with early infection by enteroviruses, particularly those that cause hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). Named after the German pediatrician Karl Koplik, who first described the rash in 1890, these spots are typically observed in infants and young children.

The rash appears as small, red or reddish-purple spots with a white center, resembling the appearance of a "strawberry" or "grape" on the tongue. These spots usually develop on the buccal mucosa, the moist lining of the mouth, particularly on the inside of the cheeks. They may also appear on the soft palate and the uvula, the small flap of tissue hanging down at the back of the throat.

Koplik's spots are diagnostic for enteroviral infections and are often the first sign of HFMD. The rash typically appears one to two days before the onset of other symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, and a rash on the hands and feet. The spots usually disappear within a few days as the infection resolves.

While Koplik's spots are specific to enteroviral infections, they are not pathognomonic, meaning other viral infections can also cause similar rashes. Therefore, their presence should be confirmed by laboratory testing, such as viral culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR), to confirm the diagnosis of enteroviral infection.

Koplik's spots are a transient but distinctive feature of enteroviral infections and are an important clinical sign in the diagnosis of HFMD.