Herpes Simplex Virus Infection in Pemphigus Patients: A Prospective Study

    October 2021 in “ ˜The œjournal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology ”
    Line Mezni, H. Dakir, Farah El Hadadi, Laïla Benzekri
    Studysummary This study observed that recognizing herpetic infection in pemphigus patients can help avoid unnecessary changes in immunosuppressive treatments for lesions wrongly presumed treatment-resistant.
    Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
    This prospective study over 15 months examined 8 cases of pemphigus (PV) associated with herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. The study found that HSV infection typically occurred around 27.5 days after the onset of PV treatment, which included oral steroids, azathioprine, and rituximab. Herpetic lesions appeared as fissures, erosions, and hemorrhagic crusts, and were confirmed with a positive Tzanck smear. All patients recovered rapidly with acyclovir/valaciclovir treatment. The study suggests that recognizing HSV infection in PV patients can prevent unnecessary changes in immunosuppressive treatment, as HSV may be a causative factor in treatment-resistant lesions due to immunosuppressive therapies and viral induction of autoimmunity.
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