Why is it So Important to Recognize Kaposi's Varicelliform Eruption Early?

Abstract

Kaposi's varicelliform eruption or eczema herpeticum is a viral infection developed on the grounds of a present skin disease. It is frequently seen on grounds of atopic dermatitis. Although it is generally related to herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2, rarely coxsackievirus or vaccinia virus play a role. In some patients, it threatens life by causing serious complications such as herpetic keratitis, encephalitis or sepsis. This case report presents a 4-month-old infant patient who was consulted by infant infection clinic for umblical vesicular eruption and who was diagnosed with Kaposi's varicelliform eruption and in whom encephalitis was detected. Following treatment, the patient was evaluated in terms of dermatologic diseases which might cause KVE and diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. Our purpose is to remind the Kaposi's varicelliform eruption which threatens life and might cause serious complications and in which early diagnosis and treatment are quite important and to emphasize the importance of investigating the underlying dermatologic disease. In addition, our case is the Kaposi's Varicelliform Eruption case which occurred at the youngest age which is reported in the literature.