ISSN:
1432-1440
Keywords:
Immunosuppression
;
Disseminated zoster
;
Polymerase chain reaction
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Immunosuppressed renal transplant recipients are at substantially increased risk for the developement of varicella zoster virus infections. They are also more prone than immunocompetent patients to develop atypical zoster and to experience a protracted course, and among them there is a higher frequency of generalized infections with possible fatal outcome. While establishing the diagnosis is essential to provide adequate therapy, conventional laboratory methods frequently fail to confirm the suspected infection. We report on a 47-year-old renal transplant recipient who developed multiple necrotic cutaneous ulcers under immunosuppressive treatment. While electron-microscopic analysis (negative staining) revealed no viral structures, varicella zoster virus specific DNA was detected by polymerase chain re-action in material obtained by a swab from these ulcers. Atypical herpetic infection should also be considered as a cause of disseminated ulcerative or necrotic skin lesions in immunosuppressed patients. Assays based on polymerase chain reaction are useful for the rapid confirmation or rejection of the suspected diagnosis of atypical herpetic infection.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00198905
