Acyclovir-resistant mucocutaneous HSV in immunocompromised patient

Acyclovir-resistant mucocutaneous herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in an immunocompromised patient refers to a persistent, non-healing infection of the skin or mucous membranes caused by HSV-1 or HSV-2 that fails to respond to standard acyclovir therapy Pathophysiologically, it is most often driven by viral mutations in the thymidine kinase gene—and less frequently in the viral DNA polymerase gene—which prevent phosphorylation and bioactivation of acyclovir, valacyclovir, and often famciclov...

Acyclovir-resistant mucocutaneous herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in an immunocompromised patient refers to a persistent, non-healing infection of the skin or mucous membranes caused by HSV-1 or HSV-2 that fails to respond to standard acyclovir therapy

This condition primarily affects individuals with compromised cell-mediated immunity, such as hematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplant recipients, individuals with advanced HIV infection, and patients undergoing immunosuppressive chemotherapy

This condition primarily affects individuals with compromised cell-mediated immunity, such as hematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplant recipients, individuals with advanced HIV infection, and patients undergoing immunosuppressive chemotherapy

Pathophysiologically, it is most often driven by viral mutations in the thymidine kinase gene—and less frequently in the viral DNA polymerase gene—which prevent phosphorylation and bioactivation of acyclovir, valacyclovir, and often famciclovir

Clinically, it manifests as chronic, painful, expanding, and often atypical ulcerative or verrucous mucocutaneous lesions—commonly involving the orofacial, anogenital, or perianal regions—that carry a heightened risk of secondary bacterial infection, severe tissue necrosis, and systemic dissemination

Clinically, it manifests as chronic, painful, expanding, and often atypical ulcerative or verrucous mucocutaneous lesions—commonly involving the orofacial, anogenital, or perianal regions—that carry a heightened risk of secondary bacterial infection, severe tissue necrosis, and systemic dissemination