Herpes Vegetans in a Patient With Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in the Setting of Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome

TL;DR

This paper describes a rare case of herpes vegetans in an AIDS patient with immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, highlighting the importance of recognizing unusual infection presentations in immunocompromised individuals.

Contribution

The paper presents a rare case linking herpes vegetans with immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in an AIDS patient.

Findings

Herpes vegetans was confirmed via biopsy in a 61-year-old male with AIDS.

The case occurred in the context of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome.

Atypical HSV presentations require prompt diagnosis in immunocompromised patients.

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections classically present as a vesicular eruption on an erythematous base; however, viral infections may present much differently in the setting of immune deficiency. Herpes vegetans is an atypical presentation of HSV that occurs in immunocompromised patients, typically those with human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Herpes vegetans is characterized by hyperkeratotic, exophytic, and, sometimes, ulcerated nodules, often with a chronic and persistent course. Herein, we present an interesting example of biopsy-confirmed anogenital herpes vegetans in a 61-year-old male with AIDS in the setting of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, an association that is less frequently described. This case serves as an important reminder to consider atypical presentations of infectious disease when examining immunocompromised patients, as prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential in this population.

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