CHRONIC VERRUCOUS VARICELLA-ZOSTER INFECTION IN A PATIENT WITH AIDS

The expression of herpes varicella zoster virus in patients already in fected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) provides the perfec t illustration of an opportunist microbe at work. There is an increase d incidence of herpes zoster which may be more severe, recurrent or di sseminated. Likewise, varicella may be more severe and recurrent. In b oth patterns of infection atypical lesions in the form of persistent u lcerative or verrucous lesions have been seen. An HIV-positive patient is described who developed verrucous lesions de novo, 4 months after her child had varicella.