Disseminated herpes zoster
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Synopsis

Herpes zoster (shingles) is a reactivation of latent infection of varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Disseminated zoster most commonly affects immunocompromised patients and only rarely the immunocompetent population. Dissemination typically occurs 4-11 days after the onset of localized cutaneous disease. Dissemination may be confined to the skin or it may affect the viscera as well. It is estimated that cutaneous dissemination occurs in 10%-40% of immunocompromised patients affected by zoster.
Disseminated cutaneous herpes zoster is defined as more than 20 vesicles outside the primary and adjacent dermatomes. Cutaneous disease itself is not life threatening; however, it is a sign of viremia. In severely immunocompromised patients, this viremia can lead to visceral involvement, which can be life threatening. Visceral dissemination can precede cutaneous disease and has rarely been reported to occur without evidence of cutaneous disease. Visceral involvement can include the lungs, the liver, and the brain. Death is most commonly due to pneumonia.
Patients at highest risk for dissemination include those with lymphoproliferative malignancies, organ transplant recipients, patients with AIDS, and patients receiving systemic corticosteroids. Disseminated zoster may be an early clinical sign of underlying human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in high-risk populations.
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), as in localized cutaneous zoster, is a known complication of disseminated zoster.
Disseminated cutaneous herpes zoster is defined as more than 20 vesicles outside the primary and adjacent dermatomes. Cutaneous disease itself is not life threatening; however, it is a sign of viremia. In severely immunocompromised patients, this viremia can lead to visceral involvement, which can be life threatening. Visceral dissemination can precede cutaneous disease and has rarely been reported to occur without evidence of cutaneous disease. Visceral involvement can include the lungs, the liver, and the brain. Death is most commonly due to pneumonia.
Patients at highest risk for dissemination include those with lymphoproliferative malignancies, organ transplant recipients, patients with AIDS, and patients receiving systemic corticosteroids. Disseminated zoster may be an early clinical sign of underlying human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in high-risk populations.
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), as in localized cutaneous zoster, is a known complication of disseminated zoster.
Codes
ICD10CM:
B02.7 – Disseminated zoster
SNOMEDCT:
55560002 – Disseminated herpes zoster
B02.7 – Disseminated zoster
SNOMEDCT:
55560002 – Disseminated herpes zoster
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection
- Primary varicella infection
- Molluscum contagiosum
- Other poxviruses (cowpox, monkeypox)
- Eczema herpeticum
- Folliculitis
- Meningitis (see viral meningitis)
- Meningococcemia
- Dermatitis herpetiformis
- Acneiform eruption (see drug-induced acneiform eruption)
- Bullous fixed drug eruption
- Allergic contact dermatitis
- Herpangina
- Urticaria
- Vasculitis
Best Tests
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.
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References
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Last Reviewed:10/17/2018
Last Updated:11/13/2018
Last Updated:11/13/2018