title: Herpes zoster duplex bilateralis in an immunocompetent woman--is gender a risk factor?
abstract: Herpes zoster duplex is a rare presentation of herpes zoster in which noncontiguous dermatomes are involved. If both sides of the body are affected, it is called herpes zoster duplex bilateralis; if only 1 side is involved, it is called herpes zoster unilateralis. Usually, this presentation of herpes zoster is associated with some level of immunosuppression. We present a case concerning herpes zoster duplex bilateralis occurring in a healthy, immunocompetent woman and discuss if female sex may be a risk factor for this presentation of herpes zoster.
authors.affiliation: Center for Clinical Studies, Houston, TX 77030, USA. rgordon@ccstexas.com
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Rana Majd
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Mays
authors.forename: Whitney
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lapolla
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tyring
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D017193:Skin Diseases, Viral / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome