Variations in herpes zoster manifestation

Introduction

Herpes zoster (HZ) is a viral disease caused by endogenous reactivation of an infection by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Clinically, the disease is characterized by an acute segmental (dermatomal) eruption of herpetiform vesicles on the skin and/or mucosa1. Epidemiologic data from Europe and the US suggest a yearly incidence rate of 4 to 5 per 1000 person-years. Incidence increases with age. HZ is more common among females in all age groups23. In Germany, HZ morbidity has been reported to be 0.29 for females and 0.10 for males per 100,000 patient-years4. Patients at risk for HZ are those with one of the following underlying disorders and treatments: autoimmune diseases, asthma, diabetes, treatment with biologics or immunosuppressants, cancer or HIV/AIDS1.

Clinical presentation

The prodromal phase of about one to five days is characterized by malaise, fever and pain. The classical clinical presentation of herpetiform umbilicated vesiculation within a dermatoma allows a visual diagnosis without the need for extensive diagnostic procedures. Later on, crusts develop that disappear within one or two weeks without leaving scars (Fig. 1).

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Fig. 1

Classical presentation of herpes zoster thoracicus.

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The classical feature, however, may not always be present making diagnosis more challenging. A typical prodromal stage of HZ ophthalmicus is Hutchinson's sign: vesicles develop on the tip of the nose or on the side of the nose due to the involvement of the nasociliary branch of the trigeminal nerve, which innervates both the cornea and the nose. Hutchinson's sign is more common among patients with immunosuppression or immunodeficiency5.

Herpes zoster with extended prodrome

HZ prodrome extending five days and up to 18 days have been reported. Extended prodrome is not necessarily associated with immunosuppression or immunodeficiencies6.

Herpes zoster not respecting dermatoma borders

Some aberrant vesicles are not uncommon. However, HZ not respecting the borders of a dermatoma may be due to viraemic spread indicating a more severe subtype. HZ duplex is crossing the midline of the body. This subtype is seen more often in Asia than in Europe7. An association to immunologic aberrations is present in <50 per cent of patients7. Multi-segmental HZ and generalized HZ represent a continuum of more severe manifestations (Fig. 2A, B)1.

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Fig. 2

Generalized herpes zoster. (A) Milder form, (B) more severe manifestation with haemorrhagic lesions.

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Herpes zoster leaving scars

If the inflammation is very strong, protracted scars may develop. This can be seen in haemorrhagic and necrotic HZ (Figs 3 & 4). Healing is delayed and bacterial superimposed infection is an additional risk (Fig. 5). Necrosis can also develop after unremarkable HZ due to delayed nervous and vascular compromise. This subtype is most commonly seen in the head-and-neck region1. The development of keloids after HZ has been reported in a pregnant woman8.

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Fig. 3

Haemorrhagic-necrotizing herpes zoster ophthalmicus.

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Fig. 4

Extensive necrosis after complete remission of herpes zoster ophthalmicus.

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Fig. 5

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus with ocular involvement and superimposed bacterial infection.

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Herpes zoster with vascular manifestations

VZV vasculopathy covers a broad range of vascular manifestations in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Ischaemic stroke and intracerebral aneurysms may develop after VZV infection of cerebral arteries9. In patients ≥65 yr of age, HZ increases the risk of myocardial infarction 1.7-fold and of ischaemic stroke 2.4-fold during the first week of disease10.

Leucocytoclastic VZV vasculitis can be a consequence of HZ11. VZV can even trigger the onset of temporal arteriitis12. Erythema multiforme (EM)-linked lesions have been observed in HZ patients13. HZ has been reported to increase the risk of peripheral arterial disease by 13 per cent14.

Herpes zoster associated with neurologic impairment

An overview of specific neurological consequences of HZ is summarized in the Table. The central nervous system can be affected by HZV. Such patients suffer from headache, neck stiffness, behavioural abnormalities and somnolence. Typical manifestations are encephalitis and meningitis in addition to VZV vasculopathy. The diagnosis is hampered in particular in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis is not always helpful since pleocytosis can be found even in uncomplicated HZ, but increased virus load is characteristic15.

Table Subtypes of herpes zoster associated with specific neurological consequences

A study conducted in Taiwan investigated HZ in 10,296 elderly people (≥65 yr of age). Data were compared with 39,405 randomly selected individuals aged ≥65 yr without a diagnosis of HZ. The HZ group showed a hazard rate of 1.17 for the development of Parkinson's disease16. This is important to recognize early symptoms of Parkinson's disease among elderly people affected by HZ.

Wolf's isotopic response

Even after clinical remission, former HZ lesions represent a locus minoris resistentiae, on which other disorders may develop. The phenomenon has been called Wolf's isotopic response. The phenotypical variety is extraordinarily large. Such postherpetic disorders with Wolf's response include granuloma annulare, lupus erythematosus, morphoea, lichen planus, molluscum contagiosum or B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia17. In such cases, histologic investigations are indispensable.

Pathergic phenomenon

Pathergy describes a skin condition, in which a minor trauma leads to the development of ulcerations or other skin lesions that may be resistant to healing. Pathergy can also lead to ulcerations at the site of surgical incisions. Pyoderma gangrenosum of the scalp has been observed as a pathergic response to HZ18.

Herpes zoster as a marker for occult cancer

In a systematic review and meta-analysis19 of 46 eligible studies, the pooled relative risk for any cancer was 1.42 and 1.83 at one year after zoster. The highest estimates were noted for haematological malignancies (Fig. 6). A study from Taiwan investigated the hazard rates for cancer after HZ infection in elderly people. Within the first two years after HZ, the risk of subsequent cancer was significantly increased, particularly lung cancer20. On the other hand, metastases may resemble HZ. This has been reported for metastatic melanoma21, lung cancer22, rectal adenocarcinoma23, breast cancer24 and nasopharyngeal cancer25 among others.

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Fig. 6

Necrotic disseminated herpes zoster in occult chronic lymphatic leukaemia.

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Erythema multiforme (EM) after herpes zoster (HZ)

EM is commonly associated with herpes simplex virus infections. It is considered as a hypersensitivity reaction with polymorphous eruptions of macules, papules and targetoid lesions symmetrically distributed. In contrast, EM has rarely been observed after HZ. Weisman et al26 reported on four patients with HZ with marked increase in VZV antibodies and development of bullous EM about 10-14 days after resolution of HZ. Another patient was reported from Kyoto, Japan, who developed EM after HZ treated successfully with aciclovir27.

Conclusions

HZ is a common disease caused by VZV. Although easily recognized by clinical features in the majority of cases, the clinical presentation is variable. The suspicion of HZ in such cases is of particular importance since early treatment is warranted i.e. within 72 h after onset of vesicular eruption28.