Dermatological infections in the immunocompromised host.

The data from the most recent studies concerning infection with human herpes virus 8 strongly support a pathogenic role for this virus in the tumoral hyperplasia which is a feature of Kaposi's sarcoma. The results from the first studies of the sensitivity of human herpes virus 8 to antiviral drugs were also published last year. This review also concerns bacterial and mycobacterial infections showing unusual presentation, important trials in the prevention of infection with varicella zoster virus by using vaccination in children with leukemia, and a controlled therapeutic study in HIV-infected patients presenting with early syphilis.