title: Chronic ulcerative herpes simplex virus infection in HIV-infected children.
abstract: The frequency and severity of chronic herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) ulcerative infections were recorded in six HIV-infected children with severe immunodeficiency (mean CD4 + T lymphocytes/cmm = 39.4: range 8-66). The first episode of HSV infection consisted of vesicular-crusty lesions affecting the centro-facial cutis area. In five cases, relapses occurred 4 months later in the form of chronic ulcerative lesions that were always accompanied by a significant loss of tissue. Furthermore, three of the six children also showed perianal ulcerative lesions. Cytodiagnostic analysis revealed the typical cells in balloon degeneration; all of the children had HSV-1-positive vesicular fluid sample cultures. In our experience, chronic ulcerative HSV infection is relatively frequent in HIV-infected children (6.6%), and has unusual clinical manifestations with a good initial response to acyclovir treatment. Relapses are common and become increasingly worse and less responsive to treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics G. e D. De Marchi, University of Milan.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Salvini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carminati
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pinzani
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carrera
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rancilio
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Plebani
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000212:Acyclovir