Vesiculobullous lesions caused by cytomegalovirus infection in an immunocompromised adult.

Skin involvement in cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is very rare. Reported cutaneous manifestations are nonspecific and include petechial, purpuric, and morbilliform rashes. We describe an immunocompromised patient who developed a vesiculobullous eruption. A simple Tzanck preparation from the base of a blister revealed multinucleate giant cells suggestive of a viral infection. Subsequent viral cultures and electron microscopic studies confirmed the diagnosis of CMV infection. Consideration of this infection should be included in the differential diagnosis of multinucleate giant cells seen on Tzanck preparations of cutaneous vesicles.