Chronic varicella presenting as disseminated pinpoint-sized papules in a man infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.
A 39-year-old HIV-infected man had manifested a typical varicella successfully treated with intravenous acyclovir. Despite oral acyclovir, he developed 10 days later a widespread eruption of pinpoint-sized erythematous papular lesions. Histologic examination and viral culture showed a persistent varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection. Intravenous acyclovir and foscarnet were both efficient. However, each withdrawal of intravenously administered treatment resulted in a rapid relapse. Among the atypical forms of chronic varicella, this eruption appears to be unique. As in our case, chronic VZV infection appears often to be a difficult therapeutic challenge.
Castanet
J
J
Department of Dermatology, University of Nice, France.
Rodot
S
S
Lacour
J P
JP
Van Elslande
L
L
Perrin
C
C
Durant
J
J
Ortonne
J P
JP
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D017245:Foscarnet / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D017245:Foscarnet; D000212:Acyclovir