VARICELLA - PEDIATRIC GENITAL RECTAL VESICULAR LESIONS OF UNCLEAR ORIGIN

Three children who presented with localized vesicular rash in the diap er area were found to have primary varicella-zoster infections. Primar y varicella can closely mimic genital herpes simplex virus (HSV 1 or 2 ), which may be an indicator of sexual abuse. To avoid unfounded inves tigation for sexual abuse, primary varicella-zoster infection must be included in the differential diagnosis. Direct fluorescent antibody te sting is a sensitive and specific diagnostic test that can be used to distinguish HSV 1 or 2 from varicella-zoster.