Although herpes zoster is not a reportable condition in the United States, its incidence has been inferred from a variety of studies to range from 3.2 to 4.2 per 1,000 patient-years. This incidence translates into an estimated 1 million cases of herpes zoster annually. Overall, an estimated 32% of persons in the United States will have herpes zoster during their lifetimes. In a recent populatio...

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 includ...

: The reactivated form of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is responsible for chickenpox, known as herpes zoster (HZ). Although it a self-limiting infection, presents debilitating and painful mucosal dermal vesicular eruptions. Early identification management are vital to curbing spread HZ infection. In this extensive review, we present an overview HZ, including its structure, pathophysiology, ...

Herpes zoster is characterized by unilateral grouped vesicles along the distribution of a single dermatome. Disseminated herpes zoster usually is defined as a generalized eruption of more than 20 extra-dermatomal vesicles occurring within a week of the onset of classic dermatomal herpes zoster. It occurs chiefly in old or debilitated individuals, and especially in patients with underlying malig...

Brachial plexopathy with motor involvement secondary to herpes zoster infection is very rare. Also known as shingles, herpes zoster occurs as a result of reactivation of varicella zoster virus in the dorsal root ganglia. We present a 69-year-old male patient with right upper extremity monoplegia secondary to herpes zoster infection. Physical examination showed scars from rash on his right antec...

BACKGROUND Both herpes zoster and malignancy are associated with immunosuppression. However, the association between herpes zoster and the subsequent diagnosis of malignancy is unclear. We undertook this study to assess whether a diagnosis of herpes zoster is a risk factor for subsequent malignancy. METHODS For this matched retrospective cohort study, a physician billing database was used to ...

BACKGROUND & AIMS Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) might be at increased risk for herpes zoster infection. We sought to quantify the risk of herpes zoster in patients with IBD and evaluate the effects of IBD and IBD medications on the risk of herpes zoster. METHODS We conducted 2 retrospective studies of populations of Veterans, from January 2000 through June 2016. In study 1, w...

UNLABELLED Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is responsible for both varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles). During varicella, the virus establishes latency within the sensory ganglia and can reactivate to cause herpes zoster, but the immune responses that occur in ganglia during herpes zoster have not previously been defined. We examined ganglia obtained from individuals who, at the ti...

which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Concerns in assessing risk factors for herpes zoster infection in multiple myeloma patients TO THE EDITOR: Recent developments of new agents such as bortezomib and high-dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma have improve...

In herpes zoster infection, neurological complications may be overlooked because pain is a more prominent symptom and because peripheral polyneuropathy associated with weakness is rare. A 57-year-old male visited our hospital, complaining of pain and skin eruptions on the right flank. He was diagnosed as having herpes zoster and the symptoms were alleviated by administration of acyclovir for a ...