Erupción variceliforme de Kaposi en una serie de 8 pacientes Kaposi varicelliform eruption in a series of 8 patients

Introduction: Kaposi varicelliform eruption (KVE) is a potentially life-threatening disseminated cutaneous viral infection occurring in patients with a prior cutaneous condition. Atopic dermatitis is usually the most common predisposing condition, although it can occur in other dermatoses. The clinical characteristics, diagnostic tests, treatment and course of eight patients with KVE admitted to a tertiary hospital over a period of 15 years are reviewed. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 8 patients hospitalized between 1995 and 2010 with a diagnosis of KVE. Results: Five women and 3 men were included, with a mean age of 47.3 years. Associated dermatoses were: atopic dermatitis (2 patients), benign familial pemphigus (2 patients), and 1 patient with each of the following diseases: pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceus, Sezary syndrome and Darier’s disease. HSV-1 was isolated in 3 patients (one of them also had a co-infection with HSV-2). Six patients were treated with intravenous acyclovir 5-10 mg/kg/8 h, and 2 patients with oral valacyclovir. All patients had a complete resolution of the lesions, but recurrence was observed in 2 patients, at 6 and 12 months. Comment: Clinical suspicion and diagnostic confirmation of KVE is important when disseminated vesicles appear in patients with prior dermatoses in order to establish early treatment to and avoid possible complications.