title: [Kaposi's disease: an unusual side-effect of topical corticosteroids].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Kaposi's sarcoma is an angiogenic tumour associated with HHV8 infection. There are several clinical forms, including those related to acquired immunosuppression. We report a case of nodular lesions in Kaposi's disease that appeared during treatment of bullous pemphigoid with topical corticosteroids.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 74-year-old female patient presented bullous pemphigoid lesions on all four limbs that were treated with clobetasol cream, a topical corticosteroid. After 2 months of treatment, the patient noted the appearance of several asymptomatic purple, erythematous, papulonodular lesions of elastic consistency on her right thigh and both legs. The histological examination revealed Kaposi's disease with positive immunolabelling for HHV8 in the tumour cells. HIV serology was negative. The lesions disappeared 4 months after cessation of corticosteroid therapy and the patient was still in remission one year later.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Authentic "Mediterranean" cutaneous Kaposi's disease was apparently revealed in this patient during treatment with extremely potent topical corticosteroids, before regressing completely on discontinuation of the medication. We discuss the various mechanisms that could have contributed to this side-effect of dermal corticosteroids, whose sustained application over a wide area caused HHV8 antigen reactivation.
authors.affiliation: Service de dermatologie vénéréologie, faculté de médecine et de pharmacie, université Mohamed V, CHU Ibn Sina, Rabat-instituts, rue Famfdal-Cherkaoui, BP 6527, Rabat, Maroc. houdadoc5@hotmail.com
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boudhir
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mael-Ainin
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Senouci
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hassam
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Benzekri
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D009824:Ointments; D010391:Pemphigoid, Bullous / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D009824:Ointments; D002990:Clobetasol