Immunocompromised patients with shingles - Therapeutic approach

Shingles and Shingles Vaccination

Shingles is caused by the human herpesvirus-3 (HHV-3). Primary infection usually occurs in childhood, producing chickenpox (varicella) although it can be subclinical. After this the virus lies dormant in the sensory nervous system in the geniculate, trigeminal or dorsal root ganglia. It may lie dormant for many years or many decades, kept in check by the immune system before flaring up in a sin...

Therapeutic approaches in patients with β-thalassemia

Beta-thalassemia (β-thal) is a congenital hemoglobinopathy explained by a decreased level (β+) or absence (βο) of β-globin gene expression. Microcytic hypochromic anemia and various clinical symptoms comprising severe anemia to clinically nonsymptomatic features. Treatment with an ordered blood transfusion and iron chelator agents can decrease transfusion iron overload that causes normal matura...

Cerebral vasculitis associated with shingles.

A 77-year-old lady initially presented to her family doctor in January 1987. She complained of a painful left ear with associated hearing loss and dizziness. There were vesicles on the left pinna, and she had a left lower motor neurone facial palsy. She was treated for five days with oral acyclovir and topical idoxuridine, but her symptoms did not resolve. Two weeks after the onset she became a...

Norovirus in immunocompromised patients.

W hile undergoing a routine mammogram, Mrs. B, age 76 years and in good health, was found to have right axillary adenopathy. A core biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of follicular lymphoma and she was referred to an oncologist who recommended treatment with six cycles of bendamustine, mitoxantrone, and rituximab. She tolerated the treatment fairly well except for mild lower abdominal discomfort fo...

Vaccines in immunocompromised patients.