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Case Reports
. 2021 May;21(3):e309-e312.
doi: 10.7861/clinmed.2021-0064.

Lesson of the month: Late, disseminated herpes zoster reactivation in a stem cell transplant recipient: implications for post-transplant prophylaxis and immune monitoring

Amy E Edwards  1 , Cristina Suarez  2 , Jonathan Lambourne  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Lesson of the month: Late, disseminated herpes zoster reactivation in a stem cell transplant recipient: implications for post-transplant prophylaxis and immune monitoring

Amy E Edwards et al. Clin Med (Lond). 2021 May.

Abstract

Varicella zoster reactivation is a known risk following stem-cell transplantation, but has become more infrequent since universal antiviral prophylaxis. We report an unusual case of late, disseminated reactivation in a 27-year-old man with positive pre-transplant serology, and discuss implications for post-transplant prophylaxis and immune monitoring.

Keywords: cellular immunity; herpes zoster; stem cell transplant; varicella zoster; viral reactivation.

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Figures

Fig 1.
Fig 1.
A diffuse painless, non-pruritic, vesicular rash consisting of dark 1–4 mm haemorrhagic vesicles. a) Rash across the face, neck and chest. b) Close-up image of the vesicles. c) Pigmented, ulcerated lesions on the hard palate.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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