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. 1999 Aug;91(8):471–474.

Disseminated cutaneous herpes simplex virus type-1 with interstitial pneumonia as a first presentation of AIDS.

S H Umar 1, A Kanth 1
PMCID: PMC2608445  PMID: 12656437

Abstract

Recognition of cutaneous herpes simplex virus (HSV) in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) can be difficult because of its atypical prsentations. Pneumonia in AIDS is complex with many possible etiologies. Identification of HSV preceded by atypical cutaneous manifestation and pneumonia is critical, given the poor prognosis when treatment is delayed or not prescribed. We report a 62-year-old patient with undiagnosed HIV infection who presented with disseminated cutaneous lesions resembling impetigo as his first presentation of AIDS. Subsequent confirmation that HSV was responsible led to appropriate treatment of this and the complicating HSV pneumonia. This report emphasizes the importance of the early recognition of atypical cutaneous HSV in patients with AIDS.

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Selected References

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