J Korean Med Sci.  2004 Aug;19(4):598-600. 10.3346/jkms.2004.19.4.598.

Concurrent Reactivation of Varicella Zoster Virus and Herpes Simplex Virus in an Immunocompetent Child

• Park HH
• Lee MH

• KMID: 2157692
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2004.19.4.598

Abstract

Latency within the nervous system is a characteristic feature of herpesviridae infection. It is reactivated by triggering factors such as UV exposure, stress, and trauma. Simultaneous reactivation of herpes simplex and herpes zoster is uncommon, however, an observation provably explained by differences in the trigerring mechanism. Concurrent reactivation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) is occasionally encountered in immunosuppressed patients; on the other hand, it is rarely reported in immunocompetent individuals. We present the case of an immunocompetent 8-yr-old female patient with concurrent reactivation of HSV on the face and VZV on the right L2 dermatome.

Keyword

Herpesvirus 3, Human; Simplexvirus; Herpesvirus 1, Human

MeSH Terms

Buttocks/pathology/virology
Child
Face
Female
Herpes Simplex/complications/diagnosis/pathology/*virology
Herpes Zoster/complications/diagnosis/pathology/*virology
Herpesvirus 3, Human/*physiology
Humans
Immunocompetence
Simplexvirus/*physiology
Thigh/pathology/virology
*Virus Activation

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 (A) Grouped vesicles on the right cheek and right L2 dermatome. (B) Grouped multiple vesicles on the infraorbital area. Herpes simplex virus was detected in this lesion. (C) Grouped vesicles and erythematous patches over the L2 dermatome. Varicella zoster virus was detected in these lesion.

• 

  Fig. 2 (A) HSV PCR electrophoresis. Lane M, 100 bp DNA size marker; Lane 1, Positive control; Lane 2, HSV detected in patient's face; Lane 3, HSV is not detected in patient's thigh; Lane 4, Positive control; Lane 5, Negative control (PCR); Lane 6, Negative control (prep). (B) VZV PCR electrophoresis. Lane M, Marker VI; Lane 1, VZV detected in the patient's thigh; Lane 2, VZV is not detected in the patient's face; Lane 3, Positive control.

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