1. Simultaneous reactivation of herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus in a patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
- Author
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P. De Mol, Arjen Nikkels, M. F. Fassotte, Gérald Pierard, Béatrice Evrard, L. Rakic, and Pascale Frere
- Subjects
Herpesvirus 3, Human ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Dermatology ,medicine.disease_cause ,Herpes Zoster ,Herpesviridae ,Virus ,hemic and lymphatic diseases ,Immunopathology ,Alphaherpesvirinae ,Abdomen ,medicine ,Humans ,Simplexvirus ,Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ,Stomatitis ,biology ,business.industry ,Varicella zoster virus ,Immunosuppression ,Herpes Simplex ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,biology.organism_classification ,Virology ,Thrombocytopenic purpura ,Herpes simplex virus ,Immunology ,Female ,Virus Activation ,business - Abstract
Simultaneous reactivation of distinct Herpesviridae with development of clinical manifestations is exceptional. We report a 48-year-old woman suffering from idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. As the disease remained refractory to corticosteroids, immunoglobulins and splenectomy, a cure of vinblastine was administered. An atypical stomatitis developed few days later. Immunohistochemistry on a Tzanck smear and a biopsy evidenced a Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection. The patient presented simultaneously a single necrotic lesion on the abdomen. Immunohistochemistry on a skin biopsy revealed the presence of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) gE, gB and IE63 proteins. Intravenous aciclovir was initiated. The present case of simultaneous clinical infections by HSV-I and VZV underlines the importance of complementary viral identification testing in the event of unusual clinical presentations.
- Published
- 2000