C. De Vivo et al., Concurrent herpes simplex type 1 and varicella-zoster in the V2 dermatome in an immunocompetent patient, CUTIS, 68(2), 2001, pp. 120-122
A unique feature of herpesviruses is their ability to establish latent infe
ction within the nervous system by colonizing peripheral sensory ganglia, w
hich results in subsequent episodic outbreaks of infection triggered by pre
cipitating events. Despite the latent nature of both herpes simplex virus t
ype 1 (HSV-1) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) within these sensory ganglia
, simultaneous outbreaks of these viruses are uncommon. This is generally a
ttributed to the differing reactivation features of these 2 viruses. Four c
ases of concurrent HSV-1 and VZV infection are described in the literature.
We report concurrent infection of HSV-1 and VZV within the same V2 dermato
me in an immunocompetent patient.