"Knife-cut" intertriginous ulcers related to herpes simplex virus in three patients

Sarah Millan, Rowanne Ali, Eric Sanfilippo

  • 1School of Medical and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA Medical Faculty Associates, George Washington University, District of Columbia, USA. ksaardi@mfa.gwu.edu.

Linear intertriginous erosions and ulcerations related to herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection have been reported in patients with underlying immunosuppression. This rare presentation of HSV seems to occur predominantly in patients undergoing treatment of hematologic malignancies and rheumatologic conditions. Herein, we report three cases of linear "knife-cut" ulcerations in patients who were not undergoing active pharmacologic immunosuppressive therapy and lacked coexisting malignancy or autoimmune disease. Close examination of the skin folds for HSV infection is warranted to rule out disseminated infection as early intervention can be lifesaving.