title: Genital herpes zoster as a consequence of cancer chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression: report of a case.
abstract: Herpes zoster (HZ) is a clinical manifestation of the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV). HZ of the male genital area is a rarely reported condition. The exact mechanism of latency and reactivation of VZV in these patients is unknown. The incidence of HZ can be associated with various conditions such as malignancies, immune deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, psychological conditions, and human immunodeficiency infection or HIV disease. In this report, we describe a rare case of HZ on male genitalia following the administration of immunosuppressant drugs for bowel cancer. The patient developed classical features of HZ during chemotherapy, 2 years after the initial chemotherapy for his bowel cancer. The ulcers of HZ lesions were treated with chlorhexidine (Curasept) ointment to prevent secondary bacterial infection. All the lesions subsided gradually and in 2 weeks with no later symptoms or pain. Genitalia are an unusual site of eruption in HZ. Patients with malignancy and iatrogenic immunodeficiency have an increased risk of reactivation of VZV and development of HZ.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Medicine and Oral Health, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University Gold Coast Campus, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia.
authors.forename: Vinod
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gopalan
authors.forename: Raj G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: Suja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pillai
authors.forename: Theunis
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oberholzer
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents