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Published in: European Journal of Pediatrics 1/2010

01-01-2010 | Original Paper

Severe bullous skin lesions associated with Chikungunya virus infection in small infants

Authors: Stéphanie Robin, Duksha Ramful, Julie Zettor, Léon Benhamou, Marie-Christine Jaffar-Bandjee, Jean-Pierre Rivière, Jacques Marichy, Khaled Ezzedine, Jean-Luc Alessandri

Published in: European Journal of Pediatrics | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Introduction

The aim of this study was to describe a pediatric case series of Chikungunya infection associated with extensive bullous skin lesions, a severe and unknown form of the disease, during the 2005–2006 outbreak in La Réunion Island.

Materials and methods

Retrospective descriptive hospital-based study in children presenting blisters ≥10% of total body surface area with laboratory-confirmed Chikungunya infection.

Results

Eight boys and five girls with a mean age of 3.4 months were included. Blistering began after an average of 2 days after onset of fever and affected 21.5% (10% to 35%) of the total body surface area. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of blister fluid (n = 5) was positive with a mean viral load sometimes higher than in concurrent serum. Histopathologic examination (n = 10) showed intraepidermal blisters. Hospitalization and repeated dressing changes under general anesthesia were required. No death occurred. On follow-up, long term repigmentation was excellent with sometimes cosmetic sequelae.

Conclusion

Chikungunya should be included in the differential diagnosis of febrile blistering dermatoses in small infants in epidemic areas.
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Metadata
Title
Severe bullous skin lesions associated with Chikungunya virus infection in small infants
Authors
Stéphanie Robin
Duksha Ramful
Julie Zettor
Léon Benhamou
Marie-Christine Jaffar-Bandjee
Jean-Pierre Rivière
Jacques Marichy
Khaled Ezzedine
Jean-Luc Alessandri
Publication date
01-01-2010
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
European Journal of Pediatrics / Issue 1/2010
Print ISSN: 0340-6199
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1076
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-009-0986-0

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