Herpes zoster ophthalmicus in an otherwise healthy 2-year-old child

BMJ Case Rep. 2012 Oct 30:2012:bcr2012007015. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2012-007015.

Abstract

The following report describes a previously healthy 2-year-old girl with herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO). The child presented with a painless vesicular skin eruption covering the left forehead. There was only a history of household exposure to varicella zoster virus (VZV) and the child had not been vaccinated against VZV. PCR assays on vesicular fluid identified VZV DNA. Treatment with acyclovir was started early in the clinical course. In addition, the girl was treated with locally administered ophthalmological acyclovir ointment. Besides some dermal excoriations, a complete resolution of the HZO was achieved without sequelae.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acyclovir / administration & dosage
  • Acyclovir / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child, Preschool
  • DNA, Viral / isolation & purification*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Facial Dermatoses / diagnosis*
  • Facial Dermatoses / drug therapy
  • Facial Dermatoses / virology
  • Female
  • Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus / diagnosis*
  • Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus / drug therapy
  • Herpesvirus 3, Human*
  • Humans

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • DNA, Viral
  • Acyclovir