Kaposi Varicelliform Eruption Treatment & Management

  • Author: Kerry A Lavigne, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jul 23, 2010
 

Medical Care

Antivirals are used in the treatment of Kaposi varicelliform eruption (KVE). See Medication.

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Consultations

Consultation with an ophthalmologist is indicated when eye involvement is suspected. Herpetic keratitis can lead to scarring. Fortunately, ocular herpetic infection in the setting of Kaposi varicelliform eruption (KVE) is rare.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Kerry A Lavigne, MD  Resident Physician, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

Kerry A Lavigne, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology, and Pennsylvania Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Eric W Hossler, MD  Fellow in Dermatopathology, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

Eric W Hossler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Medical Dermatology Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Morgan Wilson, MD  Fellow in Dermatopathology, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Kathleen David-Bajar, MD  Former Consultant to the Army Surgeon General, Department of Dermatology, Brooke Army Medical Center

Kathleen David-Bajar, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard P Vinson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jeffrey J Miller, MD  Associate Professor of Dermatology, Penn State University College of Medicine; Staff Dermatologist, Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center

Jeffrey J Miller, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Professors of Dermatology, North American Hair Research Society, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References
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  2. Oyoshi MK, Elkhal A, Kumar L, et al. Vaccinia virus inoculation in sites of allergic skin inflammation elicits a vigorous cutaneous IL-17 response. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. Sep 1 2009;106(35):14954-9. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  3. Howell MD, Gallo RL, Boguniewicz M, et al. Cytokine milieu of atopic dermatitis skin subverts the innate immune response to vaccinia virus. Immunity. Mar 2006;24(3):341-8. [Medline].

  4. Kawakami Y, Tomimori Y, Yumoto K, et al. Inhibition of NK cell activity by IL-17 allows vaccinia virus to induce severe skin lesions in a mouse model of eczema vaccinatum. J Exp Med. Jun 8 2009;206(6):1219-25. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  5. Howell MD, Wollenberg A, Gallo RL, et al. Cathelicidin deficiency predisposes to eczema herpeticum. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Apr 2006;117(4):836-41. [Medline]. [Full Text].

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  7. Kramer SC, Thomas CJ, Tyler WB, Elston DM. Kaposi's varicelliform eruption: a case report and review of the literature. Cutis. Feb 2004;73(2):115-22. [Medline].

  8. Gao PS, Rafaels NM, Hand T, et al. Filaggrin mutations that confer risk of atopic dermatitis confer greater risk for eczema herpeticum. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Sep 2009;124(3):507-13, 513.e1-7. [Medline].

  9. Rinaldo CR Jr, Torpey DJ 3rd. Cell-mediated immunity and immunosuppression in herpes simplex virus infection. Immunodeficiency. 1993;5(1):33-90. [Medline].

  10. Kawakami Y, Tomimori Y, Yumoto K, et al. Inhibition of NK cell activity by IL-17 allows vaccinia virus to induce severe skin lesions in a mouse model of eczema vaccinatum. J Exp Med. Jun 8 2009;206(6):1219-25. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  11. Wheeler CE Jr, Abele DC. Eczema herpeticum, primary and recurrent. Arch Dermatol. Feb 1966;93(2):162-73. [Medline].

  12. Wollenberg A, Zoch C, Wetzel S, Plewig G, Przybilla B. Predisposing factors and clinical features of eczema herpeticum: a retrospective analysis of 100 cases. J Am Acad Dermatol. Aug 2003;49(2):198-205. [Medline].

  13. Lubbe J, Sanchez-Politta S, Tschanz C, Saurat JH. Adults with atopic dermatitis and herpes simplex and topical therapy with tacrolimus: what kind of prevention?. Arch Dermatol. May 2003;139(5):670-1. [Medline].

  14. Yoshida M, Amatsu A. High frequency of detection of herpes simplex virus DNA in the oral cavity of patients with eczema herpeticum. Dermatology. 2004;209(2):101-3. [Medline].

  15. Fivenson DP, Breneman DL, Wander AH. Kaposi's varicelliform eruption. Absence of ocular involvement. Arch Dermatol. Aug 1990;126(8):1037-9. [Medline].

  16. Monsalvez V, Polo I, Fuertes L, Zarco C, Vanaclocha F. [Eczema herpeticum in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas]. Actas Dermosifiliogr. Jun 2009;100(5):431-3. [Medline].

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Erythematous vesicles characteristic of eczema herpeticum with associated impetiginous crust.
Infant with crusted, erythematous, umbilicated vesicles of eczema herpeticum and associated periorbital edema.
Kaposi varicelliform eruption occurring with underlying Darier disease.
Characteristic umbilicated vesiculopustules on the thigh of a child with a preexisting atopic dermatitis.
 
 
 
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