Atypical varicella-zoster infection in AIDS.
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.
Løkke Jensen
B
B
Department of Dermato-Venereology, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Weismann
K
K
Mathiesen
L
L
Klem Thomsen
H
H
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
D000212:Acyclovir