engleski

Genital herpes zoster as possible indicator of HIV infection

Herpes zoster is painful vesicular skin eruption with unilateral dermatomal involvement, usually with a severe impact on the quality of life in affected patients. The risk for developing HZ during a lifetime in patients exposed to VZV infection is 10- 30%. However, the risk is higher in immunocompromised patients, particularly in cancer patients and HIV-positive patients. HZ is seen approximately 7 times more frequent in patients with HIV infection. Reactivated VZV infection may occur at any stage of HIV infection and may be the first clinical evidence of HIV infection. The development of HZ in immunocompromised individuals can be explain by decline in cell-mediated immunity and CD4 count. HZ predominantly affects the thoracic region, followed by the head, cervical, and lumbar regions. Sacral dermatomes are involved in only up to 2% of cases. HZ involving the penis is rarely reported, with only few case reports in the literature. Genital forms of HZ are rare and sometimes clinically difficult to diagnose, especially when the typical zosteriform distribution is lacking ; PCR testing is therefore suggested. HZ is considered a possible HIV indicator ; an HIV test should therefore be performed. According to our knowledge and literature search, this is the first case report of penile HZ in an HIV-positive patient.

herpes zoster ; penile herpes zoster ; varicella-zoster virus ; HIV ; acyclovir

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