Transverse leukonychia with systemic infection

Transverse white nail bands (leukonychia) have been described in associatio n with systemic illnesses and exposure to toxins, and medications. We descr ibe the occurrence of transverse nail bands in two patients following acute systemic illnesses. In the first case, transverse white nail bands develop ed in a 30-year-old human immunodeficiency virus-positive man following acu te pulmonary tuberculosis in the second case, transverse white nail bands w ere noted in an 80-year-old patient following Streptococcus intermedius emp yema.