Presence of varicella zoster virus in zosteriform leukaemia cutis

Clin Exp Dermatol. 2019 Jul;44(5):e200-e204. doi: 10.1111/ced.13899. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Abstract

Leukaemia cutis is a relatively rare manifestation in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, characterized by a diverse morphology of skin lesions. We report two patients who developed zosteriform skin symptoms; however, the histological analysis revealed leukaemia infiltration as the cause of their symptoms. Contrary to previous reports, varicella zoster virus DNA was detectable in the lesions. These findings suggest that varicella zoster virus plays an active role in the development of zosteriform leukaemia cutis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • DNA, Viral / isolation & purification*
  • Female
  • Herpesvirus 3, Human*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / pathology*
  • Leukemic Infiltration / pathology*
  • Leukemic Infiltration / virology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Skin / pathology*
  • Skin / virology

Substances

  • DNA, Viral