title: [Eczema herpeticum: Pathogenesis and therapy].
abstract: Eczema herpeticum is an acute, disseminated herpes simplex virus infection which remains a feared complication of eczematous skin diseases, especially atopic dermatitis. The vesicular and erosive clinical picture is often accompanied by systemic signs and symptoms. Why some atopic patients experience multiple attacks of eczema herpeticum and others never have the disorder remains a mystery. Patients with severe or untreated atopic dermatitis are more likely to be affected. The pathogenesis appears to involve a complex interplay of factors, including demasking of binding sites for the virus through the dermatitis, failure to up-regulate antiviral proteins and a lack of plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Treatment of choice is systemic acyclovir therapy.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Frauenlobstrasse 9-11, 80337 München.
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Rerinck
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kamann
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wollenberg
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000150:complications; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D022301:Herpes Simplex Virus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007617:Kaposi Varicelliform Eruption / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D022301:Herpes Simplex Virus Vaccines; D000212:Acyclovir