Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus in Patients at Risk for the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Central retinal vein occlusion due to herpes zoster as the initial presenting sign in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

“…Sandor and co-workers have found a profound reduction in the T-lymphocyte helper/suppressor ratio in patients with herpes zoster ophthalmicus who are at a risk of developing AIDS. 16 In patients with HIV infection, the ARN syndrome may occur at any level of CD4 lymphocyte count, whereas the PORN syndrome variant is associated with profound immunodeficiency, generally with CD4 T lymphocyte counts less than 50 cells/ml. The CD4 and CD8 cell counts in our patient, however, were normal.…”

Adnexal and Anterior Segment Manifestations of HIV/AIDS

“…29,34 Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) is a vesiculobullous dermatitis that can present as the first sign of AIDS or HIV infection. 35 It also typically manifests with more ophthalmic complications in HIV-infected hosts than in the general population. [35][36][37][38][39] Varicella zoster virus (VZV), the etiologic agent of HZO, causes a primary infection of chickenpox and also a latent infection of dorsal root ganglia.…”

“…35 It also typically manifests with more ophthalmic complications in HIV-infected hosts than in the general population. [35][36][37][38][39] Varicella zoster virus (VZV), the etiologic agent of HZO, causes a primary infection of chickenpox and also a latent infection of dorsal root ganglia. The virus usually remains latent in sensory neurons, but can reactivate in the setting of depressed cellular immunity in the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve to give rise to HZO.…”

HIV-Co Opportunistic Infections - A Current Picture in Tropical Climatic Eastern Indian Seropositive Population

“…Zoster eruptions in HIV-infected patients can be extensive and locally destructive, and can become secondarily infected. Zoster may also disseminate cutaneously, and has been reported as the cause of encephalitis in patients with HIV disease (Quinnan et al 1984;Cone & Schiffman, 1984 ;Sandor et al 1984 ;Ryder et al1986;Friedman-Kien et al1986;Cohen et al1988;Colebunders et al1988;Cohen, & Grossman, 1989 ;Gilson et al 1989;Eidelberg et al1986) was primarily diagnosed based on the clinical manifestations of severe headaches, backache, general malaise and fever accompanied by the typical exanthem (rash) of chickenpox. Other symptoms of VZV included painful oral lesions, vesicular rash, facial numbness and loss of hearing/ ear pain.…”