title: Herpes zoster optic neuritis.
abstract: Herpes zoster (HZ) is an acute infection caused by reactivation of the latent varicella-zoster virus [1]. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) occurs when inflammation spreads from the ganglion of Gasser to the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. Optic neuritis, a very rare sequela of HZO [2-4], can occur simultaneously to the acute vesicular skin eruption or, more frequently, as a postherpetic complication. We report on a 74-year-old woman who presented with HZ optic neuritis 45 days after developing an incompletely treated bout of trigeminal HZ, characterized only by pruritus. It is important to value the non-specific manifestations of cutaneous HZ in the prodromal phase, so as to offer timely and appropriate treatment.
authors.affiliation: Centro Oftalmológico de Minas Gerais, Rua Santa Catarina 941, Bairro: Lourdes, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. brenomv@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Breno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: de Mello Vitor
authors.forename: Emílio Castelar Macedo
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Foureaux
authors.forename: Fernanda Belga Ottoni
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Porto
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006563:Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000473:pathology*; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000212:Acyclovir