title: Atypical varicella-zoster infection in AIDS.
abstract: A case of atypical varicella zoster in a 33-year-old AIDS patient is reported. The patient had had two attacks of herpes zoster within a year and was given high-dose acyclovir several times. Thereafter he developed small keratotic pellucid papules on fingers, wrists and face, which were found to contain varicella-zoster antigen by the ELISA test. Skin biopsy showed acanthosis and lack of vesication, as is usually seen in herpes infections. The atypical varicella-like lesions persisted despite repeated doses of acyclovir but cleared temporarily when the patient was given foscarnet. We believe that the prolonged therapy may have allowed selection of acyclovir-resistant varicella-zoster strains, resulting in the atypical clinical course.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermato-Venereology, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Løkke Jensen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Weismann
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mathiesen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Klem Thomsen
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D017193:Skin Diseases, Viral / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D000212:Acyclovir