A case of guttate psoriasis after primary herpetic gingivostomatitis

Abstract

Herpetic gingivostomatitis and anogenital herpes are widely known manifestations of sexually transmitted herpesvirus infections. What is less recognized is the potential causative role of such infections in triggering immune-mediated skin disorders such as guttate psoriasis. We describe the case of a 23-year-old man with an acute episode of guttate psoriasis related to primary herpetic gingivostomatitis. The diagnosis of guttate psoriasis was pathologically confirmed and the condition fully regressed after proper antiviral therapy. This case adds herpes simplex virus to the growing list of pathogens capable of acting as triggers for guttate psoriasis and highlights the need for better insight of the relationship between psoriasis and viral infections.