PCR revealed herpesvirus-specific DNA in 12 of 35 specimens. The vast majority of those specimens (10 of 12) were VZV positive, one was HSV-2 positive, and one was HSV-1 positive. Of the 12 cases, 10 presented themselves in very similar fashion (8 VZV, 1 HSV1, one HSV2) (Figs. 1 –7). All lesions were macular or papular; none of them was vesicular. Sections were typified by dense perivascular and sparse interstitial infiltrates of lymphocytes mostly, sometimes assuming a patchy lichenoid pattern. Infiltrates tended to involve the lower part of the dermis and the subcutaneous tissue. They were prominent around adnexal structures, especially around follicles, sebaceous glands, and eccrine glands. Involvement of adnexal structures seemed to account for the depth of the infiltrates. Invariably, lymphocytes were present within epithelial structures. They were found in the lower part of the epidermis especially, sometimes in the basal layer only, accompanied by little spongiosis and some vacuolar alteration. Lymphocytes were also present in infundibular, follicular, and sebaceous epithelium, sometimes peppering those epithelial structures. Typically, spongiosis was slight and occurred together with vacuolar alteration or smudging of the dermoepidermal interface. Acantholysis was absent; slight ballooning of keratinocytes was present in but one biopsy specimen. Necrotic keratinocytes ranging from few to several were encountered not only in the basal layer but also in the spinous zone. The cornified layer was almost always basketwoven in orthokeratotic fashion. Lymphocytes were also encountered around, and sometimes within, nerves. The papillary dermis was often edematous, and vessels in the dermis were dilated. Extravasated erythrocytes in variable numbers were a common finding, especially in the papillary dermis. The infiltrates consisted predominantly of lymphocytes, some of which were large and polygonal. Neutrophils and nuclear dust were present sometimes but not invariably, and eosinophils were rare.