Varicella gangrenosa: A rare chickenpox complication.

Varicella gangrenosa is a rare but life-threatening dermatological complication of infection with varicella-zoster virus. A healthy 37-year-old male who had been diagnosed with varicella 20 days back was admitted to our hospital with complaints of fever and painful necrotic skin lesions. Physical examination revealed multiple round to oval ulcers covered with eschar predominantly over arms, lower limbs, back of trunk and flanks. Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus grew in wound culture. Biopsy revealed ulceration and necrosis of epidermis, and edema, hemorrhage and granulation tissue formation involving the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The patient was treated with acyclovir - parenteral followed by oral, antibiotics and supportive measures. The lesions healed and he was discharged after 20 days. We report this case to draw attention to the fact that varicella gangrenosum, even though a rare complication, may occur in the lesions of chicken pox and that the survival of patient depends on early diagnosis and aggressive treatment.

Acyclovir is not effective in pityriasis rosea: Results of a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Acyclovir is considered to be an effective treatment for pityriasis rosea but randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trials have not been performed. AIMS: To test the efficacy of acyclovir in pityriasis rosea in a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial. METHODS: Twenty seven patients with pityriasis rosea were randomly allocated to receive placebo (n = 13) or acyclovir (800 mg five times daily for one week) (n = 14). The severity of disease was assessed by the pityriasis rosea area and severity index. Cure was defined as the absence of erythema, with no or minimal scaling. RESULTS: The number of days (mean ± standard deviation) taken for cure was not significantly different between the two groups (placebo 26.54 ± 9.14 days versus acyclovir 33.29 ± 9.49 days; P = 0.0720, t-test; 95% confidence interval of difference -0.65 to 14.14 days). LIMITATIONS: The sample size for the present study was calculated using data from an earlier study. As the standard deviation was not mentioned in that article, a common standard deviation of fifteen days was assumed. A study with a larger sample size may be more effective in detecting minor treatment differences between acyclovir and placebo, if they exist at all. CONCLUSION: Acyclovir is not an effective treatment for pityriasis rosea.

Mini outbreak of Kaposi's varicelliform eruption in skin ward: a study of five cases.

BACKGROUND: Kaposis varicelliform eruption (KVE) represents widespread cutaneous herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in patients with preexisting dermatoses. Occasionally, this infection can present as a nosocomial infection in skin wards, if adequate bed-spacing and barrier nursing methods are not followed. We are reporting five cases of KVE; four cases acquired the infection in a makeshift ward after admission of the first case in May 2005, due to the renovation work of the regular skin ward. AIM: The purpose of this study is to create clinical awareness about this uncommon dermatologic entity and to stress upon the importance of bed-spacing and barrier nursing in skin wards. METHODS: Five cases of KVE, three females and two males with different primary dermatoses (pemphigus foliaceus--one, pemphigus vulgaris--two, paraneoplastic pemphigus--one and toxic epidemal necrolysis--one) were included in this study. Diagnosis was made clinically and supported with Tzanck smear and HSV serology. All the cases were treated with oral acyclovir. RESULTS: Four out of five cases of KVE recovered with treatment, one case of extensive pemphigus vulgaris with KVE succumbed to death. CONCLUSION: Mini outbreaks of KVE can occur in skin wards with inadequate bed-spacing and overcrowding of patients. Therefore adequate bed-spacing, barrier nursing and isolation of suspected cases are mandatory to prevent such life-threatening infections.

Kaposi's varicelliform eruption.

Kaposi's varicelliform eruption (eczema herpeticum) is the name given to a distinct cutaneous eruption caused by herpes simplex and certain other viruses that infect persons with preexisting dermatosis. Most commonly it is associated with atopic dermatitis. We report a case of a three-year-old atopic child who presented with extensive vesicular eruption suggestive of Kaposi's varicelliform eruption. There was history of fever, malaise and extensive vesicular eruptions. Diagnosis was made based on clinical features and Tzanck smear examination. Patient responded adequately to oral acyclovir therapy.