Acquired Perforating Dermatosis After Herpes Zoster: Wolf Isotopic Response

J Cutan Pathol. 2025 Jan;52(1):16-19. doi: 10.1111/cup.14728. Epub 2024 Oct 2.

Abstract

Wolf isotopic response (WIR) is a phenomenon in which a second, unrelated skin disease arises at the same site as a previously healed dermatosis. WIR most commonly occurs in healed herpes zoster but has also been described in other conditions, such as herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, and skin tumors. Acquired perforating dermatosis (APD) is characterized by transepidermal elimination of collagen bundles that lead to the development of ulcerative papules, which are often associated with systemic conditions such as diabetes or renal failure. This report documents a rare occurrence of APD after WIR and reviews related published works.

Keywords: acquired perforating dermatosis; herpes zoster; isotopic response; ulcer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Herpes Zoster* / complications
  • Herpes Zoster* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Skin Diseases / pathology
  • Skin Diseases / virology