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Darier's disease and Kaposi's varicelliform eruption
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|October 1, 1979
Summary
Widespread herpes simplex infection can occur in individuals with Darier's disease, even without active skin lesions. This viral infection during pregnancy did not negatively impact the infant or placenta in one reported case.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Virology
- Genetics
Background:
- Kaposi's varicelliform eruption typically affects individuals with active skin conditions.
- Atopic dermatitis can present with Kaposi's varicelliform eruption even during periods of inactivity.
- Darier's disease is a rare genetic skin disorder.
Observation:
- Two cases of disseminated herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in patients with Darier's disease are presented.
- In both cases, HSV infection occurred without the presence of active Darier's disease skin lesions.
- One patient had no prior diagnosis of Darier's disease before the HSV infection.
Findings:
- Herpes simplex infection can manifest in Darier's disease patients irrespective of active skin lesions.
- Pregnancy did not appear to influence the outcome for the infant or placenta in a case of HSV infection during the third trimester.
- Remission of Darier's disease did not preclude the onset of herpes simplex infection.
Implications:
- Highlights the potential for severe viral infections in Darier's disease patients, even during disease remission.
- Suggests that herpes simplex virus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of widespread eruptions in Darier's disease patients.
- Underscores the importance of monitoring for viral infections in individuals with genetic skin disorders, particularly during pregnancy.