[Recurrent varicella and HIV infection. Apropos of 10 cases seen in Lomé]. / Varicelle récurrente et infection par le VIH. A propos de 10 cas observés à Lomé.

Herpes-zoster is commonly observed in immunodepressed patients with HIV infection in Africa. It is due to reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. Varicella which is usually considered as the acute invasive phase of infection can recur in the same subject during immunodepression, thus constituting recurrent varicella. Little information is available concerning recurrent varicella in Africa. The purpose of the present report is to describe 10 cases observed in 9 adults and 1 child in Lomé, Togo. In 6 cases recurrence of varicella allowed diagnosis of HIV infection. Clinical symptoms were severe with widespread lesions and fever-related changes in general status. Nine of the 10 patients required hospitalization. In all cases the illness lasted more than 3 weeks. This series demonstrates that varicella in adults can be the first clinical manifestation of HIV infection in tropical areas and that this possibility should be investigated especially if varicella is recurrent.