Chronic varicella zoster infection mimicking a basal cell carcinoma in an AIDS patient
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 23, 2026

Identifying Dysregulated Genes Induced by Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated Herpesvirus (KSHV)
Published on: September 14, 2010
H Tsao1, S R Tahan, R A Johnson
1Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Abstract:
Chronic herpesvirus infections are common in patients infected with HIV. Atypical skin lesions secondary to long-standing varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection have been reported. We present a case of an AIDS patient with a chronic VZV infection that simulated a basal cell carcinoma. Histologic examination and immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of the virus in the follicular epithelium. In the immunocompromised patient, biopsies should be performed on all suspicious lesions because medically-treatable infections may take on the appearance of malignancy.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Herpes
Chickenpox
Cytomegalovirus Disease
Genital Herpes
Cryptococcal Meningitis

