The Diagnosis: Herpes Simplex Virus Infection
Viral culture of the ulcer was positive for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HHV-2). Bacterial culture grew enteric flora. The patient was started on intravenous acyclovir 5 mg/kg every 8 hours for 7 days and then transitioned to oral acyclovir for chronic suppressive therapy. One month later, there was near-complete reepithelialization with 2 remaining 1-cm shallow ulcers. The verrucous lesions had dried up and were flaking off (Figure). At 6-month follow-up, the ulcers and verrucous lesions had completely resolved.
Treatment of herpes simplex virus type 2 with near-complete reepithelialization of the perianal region as well as postinflammatory hypopigmentation and islands of repigmentation at 1-month follow-up; 2 central 1-cm ulcers remained. The verrucous lesions decreased in number and appeared to be drying up and flaking off.
Herpes simplex virus type 2 is the most common cause of genital and perianal ulcers in immunocompromised individuals.1 Patients classically present with painful grouped vesicles followed by painful superficial ulcers that may rapidly progress to extensive confluent ulceration. A hypertrophic variant of genital herpes characterized by anogenital verrucous lesions, similar to condyloma acuminata, also can be seen in immunocompromised individuals.2 This form has almost exclusively been observed in patients with human immunodeficiency virus and may occur in isolation or together with the ulcerative form.1-5 A case of vegetative HHV infection of the genital area in a patient with common variable immunodeficiency has been reported.6 Verrucous lesions of the mouth secondary to HHV have been observed in Hodgkin lymphoma, acute myelogenous leukemia, and individuals on immunosuppressive medications.7-10
Perianal involvement of Crohn disease typically presents with fistulas, ulcers, abscesses, strictures, and skin tags in some cases. Invasive squamous cell carcinoma may arise within a chronic ulcer of the anogenital area or may itself manifest as an ulcer or anal fissure. Perianal ulcerative skin tuberculosis has been reported in the literature as a rare manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis and should be considered in a patient with an appropriate clinical history. Pyoderma gangrenosum classically pre-sents as a large ulcer with irregular rolled borders, though a rare variant of vegetative pyoderma gangrenosum may manifest as a nodular or verrucous plaque.
Studies to diagnose HHV include viral cell culture, HHV polymerase chain reaction testing, HHV serology, and direct fluorescent antibody testing. Skin biopsy may be necessary to rule out underlying malignancy. Treatment of perianal HHV infection includes acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir.1,5,6 Hypertrophic lesions often are refractory to first-line antiviral therapy and may require surgical resection or treatment with alternative medications such as imiquimod, a topical immunomodulator.3,5,6,11