Severe hydroa vacciniforme-like eruptions confined to sun-exposed areas.

ABSTRACT

A 15-year-old boy presented with vesiculopapular eruptions confined to sun-exposed areas from the age of 3. Histopathological examination of biopsy specimens of repetitive UVA-irradiated areas revealed reticular degeneration of the epidermis, and dermal infiltrates in the photoinduced lesions showed a latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. At the age of 21, the number of skin lesions had increased, and his anti-EBV antibody titers revealed an abnormal profile an undetectable anti-EBV nuclear antigen antibody titer despite a detectable antiviral capsid antigen IgG antibody titer. No infectious mononucleosis-like symptoms, such as prolonged or intermittent fever, lymphoadenopathy, or liver damage were evident up till then. Severe hydroa vacciniforme (HV)-like eruptions were diagnosed considering the increased number of the skin lesions with increasing age and the unusual anti-EBV antibody titers, in addition to the histopathological findings. In the same year, he suddenly developed high fever and died from disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome without any spontaneous regression of the skin lesions. In this patient with severe HV-like eruptions, the skin lesions had been confined to sun-exposed areas until his death, and the photo-provocation test showed a positive reaction. Severe HV-like eruptions may have clinical features suggestive of HV.