A Clinicopathological Study of Kaposi's Varicelliform Eruption.
- Author:
Hye Sang PARK
1
;
Chung Eui YOU
;
Sook Ja SON
;
Mi Youn PARK
;
Kyu Uang WHANG
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. nmcderma@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Kaposi's varicelliform eruption;
Clinicopathologic study
- MeSH:
Biopsy;
Blister;
Darier Disease;
Dermatitis, Atopic;
Dermatitis, Seborrheic;
Diagnosis;
Female;
Giant Cells;
Humans;
Inclusion Bodies;
Kaposi Varicelliform Eruption*;
Medical Records;
Preexisting Condition Coverage;
Skin;
Skin Diseases;
Vasculitis
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2005;43(9):1220-1227
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Kaposi's varicelliform eruption (KVE) is a viral infection with disseminated skin involvement, superimposed on a pre-existing dermatosis. A monomorphic eruption of dome-shaped blisters and pustules in the eczematous lesions, along with severe systemic illness, leads to clinical diagnosis. However, there is no data on the clinicopathologic study of KVE in Koreans. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify clinicopathologic features of KVE. METHOD: We reviewed the medical records and biopsy slides of 21 patients who had previously been diagnosed as having KVE at the National Medical Center between 1990 and 2004. RESULTS: The study results are summarized as follows: 1. The most common pre-existing disease was atopic dermatitis, followed by seborrheic dermatitis and Darier's disease. 2.Men were more commonly affected than women, and the mean age at diagnosis of eczema herpeticum was 30.8 years. 3.Face involvement was seen in 4 patients, and systemic involvement in 6 patients. 4. Histopathologically, common findings included ballooning degeneration (76.1%), reticular degeneration (47.6%), multinucleated giant cell (57.1%), and inclusion body (28.6%), and leukocytoclastic vasculitis (47.6%). CONCLUSION: KVE is a secondary viral infection that can affect patients who suffer from a primary dermatologic condition. In many instances, the history and clinical findings may be sufficient for diagnosis of KVE. However, the clinicopathologic features can help also diagnose KVE and pre-existing dermatosis.
