Viral-Associated Trichodysplasia of Immunosuppression
August 2010
in “
Archives of dermatology
”
viral-associated trichodysplasia immunosuppression follicular-based papules alopecia dysmorphic features transplant recipients chemotherapy spiny follicular papules facial skin thickening immunosuppressive agents topical treatments systemic valganciclovir therapy folliculotropic papovavirus follicular maturation hair loss skin thickening immunosuppressive drugs topical creams valganciclovir papovavirus
TLDR A 5-year-old boy's skin condition improved with systemic valganciclovir after a cardiac transplant and immunosuppressive therapy.
Viral-associated trichodysplasia of immunosuppression was increasingly recognized as a condition characterized by follicular-based papules, primarily on the central face, leading to alopecia and dysmorphic features, particularly in transplant recipients and patients undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia and lymphoma. A 5-year-old boy developed spiny follicular papules and facial skin thickening 1 year after a cardiac transplant, following exposure to multiple immunosuppressive agents. Despite the failure of various topical treatments, his condition improved with systemic valganciclovir therapy. This case, the youngest reported, supported the theory that immunosuppression predisposed individuals to a folliculotropic papovavirus that disrupted follicular maturation.
