Frequent varicella zoster reactivation associated with therapeutic use of arsenic trioxide: portents of an old scourge.

Au, Wing-Yan; Kwong, Yok-Lam · J Am Acad Dermatol · 2005

retrospective_cohort · Level III

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Abstract

In 44 patients treated with arsenic trioxide (As2(O3)) for acute promyelocytic leukemia, 11 developed varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation (median 56 days [range 15-299]) after treatment. There was no preferential dermatome involvement or systemic spread. The actuarial risk of VZV reactivation at 1 year was 26%. No VZV reactivation occurred after the first year of initial treatment with As2(O3).

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