Eczema herpeticum and clinical criteria for investigating smallpox.
Eczema herpeticum can clinically resemble smallpox. On the basis of the algorithm for rapid evaluation of patients with an acute generalized vesiculopustular rash illness, our patient met criteria for high risk for smallpox. The Tzanck preparation was critical for rapid diagnosis of herpetic infection and exclusion of smallpox.
Boyd
David A
DA
Department of Dermatology, Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida 32214, USA. s2d2boyd@yahoo.com
Sperling
Leonard C
LC
Norton
Scott A
SA
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007617:Kaposi Varicelliform Eruption / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012899:Smallpox / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000212:Acyclovir