HERPETIC GEOMETRIC GLOSSITIS IN A PEDIATRIC-PATIENT WITH ACUTE MYELOGENOUS LEUKEMIA

Herpetic geometric glossitis, a recently described form of lingual her pes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection, has been reported in 6 hum an immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients and 1 cardiac transplant pati ent who was receiving immunosuppressant therapy. An HIV-seronegative i mmunocompromised pediatric patient with acute myelogenous leukemia who developed herpetic geometric glossitis is described. Herpetic geometr ic glossitis can present in both adult and pediatric immunocompromised patients. The symptoms, morphology, laboratory findings and treatment of this infection are summarized. The possible consequences of untrea ted herpetic glossitis include superinfection and undernourishment. Al though previously described patients responded to 1000 mg per day (div ided in 5 doses) of oral acyclovir, with complete resolution of fissur es, this patient developed herpetic geometric glossitis while receivin g acyclovir and required higher doses of oral antiviral therapy (acycl ovir, 3000 mg/day divided in 5 doses) to treat his HSV-1 lingual infec tion. Empiric treatment of an immunocompromised patient who has newly acquired painful tongue fissures or furrows with systemic acyclovir sh ould be considered.