Orf progressiva: giant progressive and destructive infections in the immunocompromised

We present a 43-year-old male ranch owner with a history of renal transplantation who contracted an orf infection from his lamb. The infection recurred despite attempts at debridement, but achieved near complete resolution after treatment with imiquimod and valacyclovir. The histologic findings of orf progressiva are identical to the early stages of classic orf infection and are characterized by epithelial hyperplasia, intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusions, and an edematous, vascular dermis. There is no standard treatment for orf progressiva. Surgical excision has frequently resulted...
Source: Dermatology Online Journal - Category: Dermatology Source Type: research