Herpes Zoster in African Patients: A Clinical Predictor of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Abstract

A recent episode or a history of herpes zoster was found in 30 (11%) of 284 patients hospitalized with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection at Mama Yemo Hospital, Kinshasa, Zaire. Of 146 African patients with a history of herpes zoster who were referred to us by physicians at the Mama Yemo Hospital, 133 (91%) were HIV seropositive. The clinical characteristics of the herpes zoster episodes did not differ between HIV-seropositive and -seronegative individuals, except that 23% of the HIV-seropositive patients experienced recurrences compared with none of the HIV-seronegative patients (P = .05). No patient developed a generalized herpes zoster eruption, and only patients with ophthalmic zoster developed related complications. Patients who experienced severe pain during their herpes zoster attack lost more weight than did those who had only minor pain (P = .0003).

Orocutaneous Manifestations as Markers of Disease Progression in HIV Infection in Indian Setting

“…In one of the studies, 91% of the cases of H zoster referred were seropositive for HIV [23]. Some authors are of the opinion that there is an increased risk of development of AIDS in those patients who develop H zoster [24,25].…”

Dermatomal and Disseminated Varicella Zoster Lesions in a Hiv Infected Individual

“…In the context of the AIDS pandemic, herpes zoster in an individual who is below 60 years, and at risk, demands that a concomitant HIV infection be ruled out. In a study from Central Africa, the attack rate of herpes zoster in patients with HIV infection was found to be 11%, and more significantly, 91% of individuals who had herpes zoster were HIV sera-positive [3].…”

“…A depression in the level of cell-mediated response has been implicated [I]. Various studies have shown herpes zoster to be an early indicator for the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in high risk individuals [2,3]. In the context of the AIDS pandemic, herpes zoster in an individual who is below 60 years, and at risk, demands that a concomitant HIV infection be ruled out.…”

“…This has been reported in American patients with AIDS [3,4]. It occurs in 6-26% of immunosuppressed patients, 4-11 days after the onset of localized zoster [5].…”

Dermato-Epidemiological Profile and HIV Seropositivity among Male Patients with Herpes Zoster

“…Herpes zoster has traditionally affected older persons especially more than 60 years of age and also more common in patients with neoplasms especially Hodgkin's lymphoma. Recently, varicella zoster infections have been observed in young adults infected with human immunodeficiency virus [2] .…”