LOW-PRODUCTIVE ALPHA-HERPESVIRIDAE INFECTION IN CHRONIC LICHENOID DERMATOSES

Background: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and Varicella-zoster virus (VZV ) are responsible for various atypical mucocutaneous manifestations in the immunosuppressed population. One of the causative pathomechanisms suggests an altered virus-host cell relationship. Objective/Methods: This report investigates by histology, immunohistochemistry and in sit u hybridization the histological and virological features of 6 protrac ted, indolent HSV infections and 2 prolonged tester infections Results : Histopathology revealed a lichenoid dermatitis in all patients. Spec ific HSV-1, HSV-2 and VZV in situ hybridization proved the viral origi n of the cutaneous lesions. Immunohistochemical assessment demonstrate d the intracellular presence of the HSV glycoproteins gB, gC and gD in epidermal keratinocytes which did not exhibit cytolysis. Similar find ings were obtained for the VZV gE and gB. Conclusion: These results su ggest that in some instances HSV and VZV infections may present a prot racted disease course associated with a lichenoid inflammatory pattern and a non-cytolytic virus-host cell relationship.