Recalcitrant scalp folliculitis: a possible role of herpes simplex virus type 2.
We report the case of a 70-year-old man with a 1 year history of relapsing folliculitis of the scalp. Bacteriological, mycological and the Tzanck tests from the lesions were negative. Histopathological study showed suppurative perifollicular flogosis. Virological cultures were negative, while HSV nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) assays made on swabs and histological sections from the scalp lesions demonstrated the presence of herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) in all samples. Skin swabs of healthy areas yielded negative results for HSV-2 infection. The folliculitis showed a marked and quick improvement after therapy with famciclovir suggesting a possible etiologic role of HSV-2 in the scalp folliculitis.
Foti
Caterina
C
Department of Internal Medicine, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Unit of Dermatology, University of Bari, Italy. c.foti@dermatologia.uniba.it
Calvario
Agata
A
d'Ovidio
Roberto
R
Bonamonte
Domenico
D
Scarasciulli
Maria Luisa
ML
Conserva
Anna
A
Casulli
Claudia
C
Angelini
Giovanni
G
D000368:Aged; D005499:Folliculitis / Q000821:virology*; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000821:virology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000821:virology*