Association between COVID-19 infection and herpes zoster: A case series.
case_series · Level IV
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 38074274.
- Also identified by DOI 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_2112_22 and PMC identifier 10706513.
- Licence recorded as CC BY-NC-SA.
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Abstract
Herpes zoster (HZ) is a manifestation of the reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection in the dorsal root ganglion. The occurrence of HZ has been reported in association with COVID-19. Herein, we describe 10 cases who developed classic HZ within 2-3 weeks of acquiring COVID-19 infection. The triggers in these patients could be severe stress (related to quarantine issues, fear of hospitalisation and death) immune dysregulation and systemic steroid therapy in treating COVID-19. The clinical patterns and therapeutic responses observed were similar to HZ in immunocompetent persons. Increased expression of NKG2A on NK and CD8+ T cells has been proposed as a pathophysiologic mechanism in triggering HZ at the molecular level in COVID-19 patients. Primary physicians should be aware of this association to counsel and treat such patients appropriately, as initiating early treatment could minimise the risk of complications like postherpetic neuralgia.