Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are severe cutaneous adverse reactions. Although viral reactivation is associated with DRESS syndrome, its role in TEN remains unclear. An 80-year-old woman visited our hospital because of fever and skin eruption. DRESS syndrome was diagnosed and was thought to caused by the use of the drug allopurinol. She was treated by discontinuation of the drug and administration of systemic steroids. She recovered from DRESS syndrome and was discharged from the hospital with tapering doses of steroids prescribed. One week after discharge, she visited our hospital again as the skin rash recurred and oral pain as well as oral and ocular mucosal lesions developed. In addition to the skin rash, blisters and Nikolsky's sign that were different from the skin lesions present in the previous DRESS syndrome were observed. Unlike those in DRESS syndrome, the viral serological test results were positive for anti-cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgM and CMV polymerase chain reaction. Therefore, it was thought that TEN was due to reactivation of CMV and she was treated this with ganciclovir and intravenous immunoglobulin. Here, we report a case of TEN caused by viral reactivation after DRESS syndrome developed after use of allopurinol which recovered after steroid treatment.
Aged, 80 and over ; Allopurinol ; Blister ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; Cytomegalovirus ; Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome ; Eosinophilia ; Exanthema ; Female ; Fever ; Ganciclovir ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Immunoglobulins ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Serologic Tests ; Skin ; Steroids ; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

INTRODUCTION: Varicella or commonly known as chicken pox is caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) that is usually seen as a vesicular eruption in children. It is a highly contagious infection and is the result of exogenous primary infection of a susceptible individual. Immunocompromised individuals have impaired cell-mediated immunity and are prone to develop severe disease. They may have atypical presentations and lesions may sometimes appear hemorrhagic. CASE REPORT: We report two separate cases of HIV-AIDS patients presenting with erythematous umbilicated papules in which the initial clinical impression was molluscum contagiosum. Skin punch biopsy was done and revealed hemorrhagic varicella. Patients were started on intravenous acyclovir with noted remarkable improvement. CONCLUSION: This case report highlights the clinical and histopathologic features of hemorrhagic varicella. A skin biopsy is mandatory to establish the correct diagnosis and to initiate proper treatment.
Chickenpox ; Acyclovir ; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; Herpesvirus 3, Human

PURPOSE: To report a case of retinal toxicity after an intravitreal ganciclovir injection to treat acute retinal necrosis in an eye filled with silicone oil.CASE SUMMARY: A 56-year-old male presented with ocular pain and visual loss in his right eye. His best-corrected visual acuity was 20/25, inflammatory cells in the anterior chamber, multiple retinitis lesions and retinal vessel occlusions in the peripheral retina and vitreous opacity were showed. Acute retinal necrosis was suspected, anterior chamber polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was done. Aciclovir 2,400 mg/day intravenously and ganciclovir 2.0 mg were administered by intravitreal injection. After 4 days, retinitis was worsened and PCR test was positive for varicella zoster virus. Ganciclovir intravitreal injections were increased twice a week. After 16 days, retinal detachment occurred, so scleral encircling, vitrectomy, laser photocoagulation, and silicone oil tamponade were conducted. Ganciclovir 1.0 mg was injected at the end of surgery. The patient's visual acuity decreased to hand motion, and multiple crystal deposits with multiple retinal hemorrhages were observed in the right eye the next day. Visual acuity did not recover and optical coherent tomography showed that the macula was thinned.CONCLUSIONS: Visual loss seemed to be related with the retinal toxicity of ganciclovir. The increased local concentration due to the silicone oil tamponade is thought to have caused the toxicity.
Acyclovir ; Anterior Chamber ; Ganciclovir ; Hand ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Humans ; Intravitreal Injections ; Light Coagulation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Retina ; Retinal Detachment ; Retinal Hemorrhage ; Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute ; Retinal Vessels ; Retinaldehyde ; Retinitis ; Silicon ; Silicones ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy

PURPOSE: To report a case of Epstein-Barr virus-related corneal endotheliitis accompanied by secondary glaucoma.CASE SUMMARY: A 73-year-old male presented with blurred vision in his right eye. In the ophthalmic evaluation, there were dispersed keratic precipitates overlying corneal edema. The anterior chamber showed trace ~1+ graded inflammation and an endothelial density decrease. His best-corrected visual acuity and intraocular pressure in the right eye were 0.2 and 34 mmHg, respectively. Paracentesis was performed on the anterior chamber of the right eye to confirm the diagnosis under the suspicion of corneal endotheliitis with trabeculectomy for the intraocular pressure control. Epstein-Barr virus was confirmed using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and oral and eye drops of Acyclovir were used to treat the patient. There was no evidence of a recurrence over 2 years and his intraocular pressure was 12 mmHg and best-corrected visual acuity was maintained at 0.5.CONCLUSIONS: A case of Epstein-Barr virus-related corneal endotheliitis was diagnosed using PCR of the aqueous humor. The patient was treated with an oral antiviral agent and eyedrops without a recurrence.
Acyclovir ; Aged ; Anterior Chamber ; Aqueous Humor ; Corneal Edema ; Diagnosis ; Glaucoma ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Intraocular Pressure ; Male ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Paracentesis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Recurrence ; Trabeculectomy ; Visual Acuity

In an immunocompromised patient such as HIV infection, disseminated herpes zoster is a common cutaneous manifestation. It is very important to have clinical suspicion of HIV, whenever a patient presents with cutaneous manifestation of HIV. This is a case of a 32 year old male who came in at for consult at our institution with a chief complaint of fluid filled bumps which started on the left abdominal area progressing to the trunk, upper and lower extremities with associated pricking pain. Patient was diagnosed with disseminated zoster and was given acyclovir with noted complete resolution of lesions. Laboratory tests were requested which revealed that the patient also had concomitant HIV and Hepatitis B. Patient was referred to the Center for Tropical and Travel Medicine for proper management.
HIV ; Hepatitis B ; Acyclovir

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a rare disease in Asian countries, but its incidence is growing rapidly in Western countries. The main pathophysiology of eosinophilic esophagitis is esophageal epithelial barrier dysfunction; disruption of the esophageal epithelial barrier easily induces antigen sensitization to foods and aeroallergens, which leads to subsequent esophageal inflammation as a result of eosinophil recruitment. Here we report a case of an 11-year-old Korean boy who suffered from fever, odynophagia, dysphagia, and chest pain. His upper endoscopic findings showed longitudinal ulcers with a volcano-like appearance at the distal esophagus. Polymerase chain reaction test results and biopsy specimens were positive for herpes simplex virus type 1. He was treated with acyclovir and a proton pump inhibitor, but his follow-up endoscopy showed typical patterns of eosinophilic esophagitis, and the biopsy specimens were compatible with the diagnostic criteria for eosinophilic esophagitis. Therefore, we report a very rare case of eosinophilic esophagitis after herpes esophagitis in a Korean child with normal immunity.
Acyclovir ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Biopsy ; Chest Pain ; Child ; Deglutition Disorders ; Endoscopy ; Eosinophilic Esophagitis ; Eosinophils ; Esophagitis ; Esophagus ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Herpesvirus 1, Human ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inflammation ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Proton Pumps ; Rare Diseases ; Simplexvirus ; Ulcer

Disseminated neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is a severe disease with a high mortality rate. Here, we report the patient presented with fulminant hepatic failure secondary to HSV infection followed by renal failure without any mucocutaneous symptoms. The patient recovered after treatment with acyclovir and peritoneal dialysis. This is the first known case of a patient in Korea who survived disseminated HSV infection with fulminant liver failure followed by renal failure without undergoing liver transplantation.
Acyclovir ; Hepatitis ; Herpes Simplex ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Liver Failure ; Liver Failure, Acute ; Liver Transplantation ; Mortality ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Simplexvirus

A previously healthy 2.5-year-old male child presented with vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. During hospitalization he developed odynophagia and refusal to eat. His symptoms did not respond to acid suppressant therapy. He underwent upper endoscopy which showed severe inflammation, ulcerations and abundant necrosis. Histopathological features and serological testing were consistent with herpetic esophagitis. He had no history of recurrent infections or history of sick contacts. His immunological work up showed normal level of immunoglobulins and his White Blood Cells subpopulations were normal. His HSV serology was positive. The patient was started on acyclovir 5 mg/kg q 8 hours. He resolved his symptoms within 24 hours of treatment.
Acyclovir ; Child ; Diarrhea ; Endoscopy ; Esophagitis ; Fever ; Herpes Simplex ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Inflammation ; Leukocytes ; Male ; Necrosis ; Serologic Tests ; Ulcer ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: We report a case of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis following placement of an intravitreal dexamethasone implant in an immunocompetent patient diagnosed with non-infectious uveitis. CASE SUMMARY: A 60-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for recurrent anterior uveitis. Fundus examination and fluorescein angiography showed dense vitritis, but no definite retinal infiltration. After laboratory examinations, the patient was diagnosed with non-infectious panuveitis. Uveitis was much improved after the patient started taking oral steroid medication. However, the patient complained of systemic side effects from the oral steroids. Medication was stopped, and an intravitreal dexamethasone implant was fitted to address worsening inflammation. Two months later, perivascular retinal infiltration developed and vitritis recurred. Viral retinitis was suspected, and the patient underwent diagnostic vitrectomy adjunctive with intravitreal ganciclovir injection. Polymerase chain reaction of vitreous fluid confirmed the diagnosis of CMV retinitis. The patient has remained inflammation-free for more than 20 months after vitrectomy, single ganciclovir injection, and 2 months of oral valganciclovir medication. CONCLUSIONS: This is a case report of CMV retinitis following placement of an intravitreal dexamethasone implant in an immunocompetent patient without any risk factors or previous history of immunosuppression. Potential risk factors for CMV retinitis should be evaluated and careful follow-up should be performed when intravitreal dexamethasone injections are unavoidable for the treatment of non-infectious uveitis.
Cytomegalovirus Retinitis ; Cytomegalovirus ; Dexamethasone ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Ganciclovir ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Inflammation ; Middle Aged ; Panuveitis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Retinaldehyde ; Retinitis ; Risk Factors ; Steroids ; Uveitis ; Uveitis, Anterior ; Vitrectomy

Chest pain in kidney transplant patients is usually caused by cardiac or pulmonary problems. However, it may be rarely caused by opportunistic esophageal infections. A 66-year-old female kidney transplant recipient was admitted because of chest pain. She had been treated with high-dose steroid and immunosuppressants for acute T-cell-mediated rejection. Cardiologic and pulmonary evaluations had normal results. Endoscopic examination revealed three clear ulcerative lesions in the esophagus. Histological and immunohistochemical staining of the endoscopic biopsy specimens revealed coinfection of herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus. The patient was treated with intravenous ganciclovir for 2 weeks. Her symptoms completely resolved, and follow-up endoscopy revealed complete healing of the previous ulcers. Viral esophagitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in kidney transplant recipients presenting with chest pain.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Chest Pain ; Coinfection ; Cytomegalovirus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Endoscopy ; Esophagitis ; Esophagus ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Ganciclovir ; Herpes Simplex ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Simplexvirus ; Thorax ; Transplant Recipients ; Ulcer