title: Exacerbation of atopic dermatitis in the emergency department.
abstract: A 38-year-old man was admitted to the Emergency Department suffering from an exacerbation of atopic dermatitis, fever and a burning sensation in the eyes. He was first treated with systemic corticosteroids. A subsequent dermatological and ophthalmological examination established the diagnosis of Kaposi-Juliusberg disease or eczema herpeticum with bilateral herpetic keratitis. Eczema herpeticum is an uncommon herpes simplex virus infection that occurs in patients with atopic dermatitis. Because it is a possible life-threatening condition, this disease must be recognized by all emergency physicians. The association with herpetic keratitis is not frequent but is a major ophthalmological problem. Treatment consists of the administration of high-dose intravenous acyclovir and acyclovir ophthalmic ointment.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department; Department of Dermatology, Université Catholique de Louvain, Mont-Godinne Hospital, B-5530 Yvoir, Belgium.
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Feye
authors.forename: Céline De
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Halleux
authors.forename: Jean- Bernard
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gillet
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vanpee
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000209:etiology*; D004630:Emergencies; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007617:Kaposi Varicelliform Eruption / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016849:Keratitis, Herpetic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000212:Acyclovir