Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection-associated hydroa vacciniforme-like eruption and Behçet's-like orogenital...

The cutaneous manifestations of chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection can be diverse. Among them, hydroa vacciniforme-like eruption is one of the best-known features. Although rare, mucosal ulcers have been reported to be associated with EBV as a result of primary infection or immune suppression. We describe a 65-year-old female with recurrent necrotic papulovesicles on the face and both arms for 2 years. She also complained of recurrent oral and genital mucosal ulcers developing simultaneously with skin eruptions. They appeared periodically during the spring and summer and were triggered or aggravated by sun exposure. Skin biopsies from the face and genitalia showed identical findings with dense lymphocytic infiltrations. In addition, in situ hybridization revealed EBV-positive lymphoid cells in both specimens. To our knowledge, this is the first case of serologically and pathologically proven chronic active EBV infection presenting hydroa vacciniforme-like eruption and orogenital ulcers at the same time in one patient.