Herpes Zoster Infection in Patient with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia on Imatinib

Varicella-zoster virus is a member of the Herpesviridae family. It can cause chickenpox and Herpes zoster infection (shingles). The latter is an acute, cutaneous infection caused by reactivation of a primary varicella infection upon decline in the virus-specific and cell-mediated immunity. Herpes zoster Infection is a serious infection in immune compromised patients. Predisposing factors include long steroid use, immunosuppressive medications, HIV, solid and hematological malignancies, hematopoietic stem cell transplant, exposure to radiotherapy, infections, &other forms of stress. Here we report one case of Herpes zoster infection in patient with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, chronic phase, after four years of Imatinib mesylate, in which complete cytogenetic and molecular remission achieved. This is an exceptional rare complication of Imatinib in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia patients without stem cell transplantation.