Clinical case: Kaposi’s varicelliform eruption caused by HSV-2 in an adolescent
E. Yu. Evdokimov,
E. V. Svechnikova,
P. V. Vlasov,
E. S. Dzottsoeva,
Z. B. Ponezheva,
E. A. Domonova,
D. S. Khanova,
Е. V. Melekhina https://doi.org/10.21518/ms2026-039
Abstract
Eczema herpeticum (Kaposi’s varicelliform eruption) is a disease characterized by an intoxication syndrome associated with a viral infection in children with atopic dermatitis. The most common etiological agent of eczema herpeticum is herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), less frequently herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), and, in rare cases, Coxsackievirus A16 or the vaccinia virus. The disease is typical for children aged 6 months to 2 years. This article presents a clinical case of eczema herpeticum in a 14-year-old adolescent with a burdened premorbid background, infected with several human herpesviruses simultaneously (Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), HSV-1, HHV-7) and an active infection caused by herpes simplex virus type 2. The etiological verification of the diagnosis using molecular genetic methods and enzyme immunoassay is described. The patient received systemic therapy, which included antiviral agent (acyclovir 500 mg IV 3 times daily for 5 days), infusion (0.9% sodium chloride 250 ml 2 times daily for 3 days), systemic anti-inflammatory agent (prednisolone 60 mg 2 times daily for 3 days), desensitizing agent (chloropyramine 25 mg 2 times daily for 5 days); local treatment with anti-inflammatory and antifungal/antibacterial agents (hydrocortisone + natamycin + neomycin 15 g 3 times daily for 7 days); drying and anti-inflammatory agent (zinc oxide 25 mg 2 times daily for 5 days), antibacterial eye drops (sulfacetamide 0.1 ml 4 times daily for 5 days). The treatment resulted in a significant improvement of the patient’s condition. The presented case of a typical clinical course of Kaposi’s varicelliform eruption has a scientific and practical significance in terms of the atypical age of disease manifestation and the etiology of the infectious process associated with patient’s burdened pre-comorbidities anamnesis. The presented case of a typical clinical course of eczema herpeticum is of scientific and practical interest due to the atypical age of disease manifestation and the etiology of the infectious process associated with the patient’s burdened premorbid background. The presented data are intended to increase awareness among practicing physicians regarding the clinical and laboratory diagnosis of herpes skin infections in older pediatric age groups.
About the Authors
E. Yu. Evdokimov
Central Research Institute of Epidemiology
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Evgenii Yu. Evdokimov, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Leading Researcher at the Clinical Department
3a, Novogireevskaya St., Moscow, 111123
E. V. Svechnikova
Russian Biotechnological University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Elena V. Svechnikova, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor, Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases with a Cosmetology Course
11, Volokolamskoe Shosse, Moscow, 125080
P. V. Vlasov
Central Research Institute of Epidemiology
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Petr V. Vlasov, Graduate Student
3a, Novogireevskaya St., Moscow, 111123
E. S. Dzottsoeva
Central Research Institute of Epidemiology
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Elina S. Dzottsoeva, Cand. Sci. (Med.), Research Associate at the Clinical Department of Infectious Diseases
3a, Novogireevskaya St., Moscow, 111123
Z. B. Ponezheva
Central Research Institute of Epidemiology
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Zhanna B. Ponezheva, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor, Head, Clinical Department of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology
3a, Novogireevskaya St., Moscow, 111123
E. A. Domonova
Central Research Institute of Epidemiology
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Elvira A. Domonova, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor, Head of the Scientific Group for the Development of New Methods for Diagnosis of Opportunistic and Human Papillomavirus Infections in the Department of Molecular Diagnostics and Epidemiology
3a, Novogireevskaya St., Moscow, 111123
D. S. Khanova
Infectious Clinical Hospital No. 1
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Diana S. Khanova, Infectious Disease Specialist, Head of Infectious-boxed Department
63, Volokolamskoe Shosse, Moscow, 125367
Е. V. Melekhina
Central Research Institute of Epidemiology
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Еlena V. Melekhina, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Associate Professor in Pediatrics, Senior Researcher of the Clinical Department of Infectious Diseases
3a, Novogireevskaya St., Moscow, 111123
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For citations:
Evdokimov EY, Svechnikova EV, Vlasov PV, Dzottsoeva ES, Ponezheva ZB, Domonova EA, Khanova DS, Melekhina ЕV. Clinical case: Kaposi’s varicelliform eruption caused by HSV-2 in an adolescent. Meditsinskiy sovet = Medical Council. 2026;(2):48-56. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.21518/ms2026-039
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