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. 2017 Jan-Jun;38(1):65-68.
doi: 10.4103/0253-7184.203440.

Study of clinical profile of herpes zoster in human immunodeficiency virus positive and negative patients at a rural-based tertiary care center, Gujarat

Rita V Vora  1 , Gopikrishnan Anjaneyan  1 , Rahul Krishna S Kota  1 , Abhishek P Pilani  1 , Nilofar G Diwan  1 , Nidhi N Patel  1
Affiliations

Study of clinical profile of herpes zoster in human immunodeficiency virus positive and negative patients at a rural-based tertiary care center, Gujarat

Rita V Vora et al. Indian J Sex Transm Dis AIDS. 2017 Jan-Jun.

Abstract

Background: Herpes zoster usually presents with typically grouped vesicles on erythematous base involving single dermatome with self-limiting nature in immunocompetent individuals while it may present in extensive form involving multiple dermatomes involvement or disseminated form in immunocompromised, especially in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Aims and objectives: The aim of this study was to study the prevalence of HIV in patients of herpes zoster, to compare the clinical presentation of herpes zoster in HIV-infected and noninfected patient.

Materials and methods: The study was carried out in the Department of Dermatology in a Teaching Institute of Gujarat, from June 2008 to May 2014 after ethical clearance. The study population included all the patients with a clinical diagnosis of herpes zoster. All the patients were investigated for HIV infection after written consent.

Results: Out of total 688 patients of herpes zoster, 35 (5.1%) were HIV-positive, 26 (74.3%) were males and 9 (25.7%) were females. Among HIV-positive patients, 29 (82.85%) patients had localized dermatomal involvement, 4 (11.42%) patients had multiple dermatomal involvement, and only 2 (5.71%) had disseminated zoster while among HIV-negative, 636 (97.40%) had localized dermatomal involvement, 14 (2.14%) patients had multiple dermatomal involvement, and 3 (0.45%) had disseminated zoster. Cervical dermatome was most commonly involved dermatome in patients of HIV.

Conclusion: Disseminated and multiple dermatomal involvement was more commonly involved among HIV-positive patients when compared to HIV-negative patients.

Keywords: Herpes zoster; human immunodeficiency virus; immunosuppression.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Herpes zoster involving mandibular division of trigeminal nerve with severe edema in a human immunodeficiency virus-negative male
Figure 2
Figure 2
Herpes zoster involving right S-2 (sacral) dermatome in a human immunodeficiency virus-negative male
Figure 3
Figure 3
Herpes zoster involving left T4–T5 (thoracic) dermatome in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive male
Figure 4
Figure 4
Multidermatomal involvement in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive male
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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