title: Vitamin D is closely linked to the clinical courses of herpes zoster: From pathogenesis to complications.
abstract: Vitamin D is renowned for its pleiotropic effects, including but not limited to bone integrity, and it has assumed an important role in the current research era. As vitamin D receptors are present in a variety of human tissues, particularly immune cells, the immunomodulatory potential of vitamin D cannot be overemphasized. Herpes zoster, which presents as grouped cutaneous vesicles over dermatomes or visceral/central nervous system infection in its severe form, has a higher incidence in immune-suppressed patients. Considering the importance of vitamin D in host immunity, we hypothesize that vitamin D acts as an effect-modifier for the entire herpes zoster spectrum with regard to disease susceptibility, manifestation, efficacy of pharmacologic management, and emergent complications during treatment. Moreover, the possibility exists that vitamin D might affect the course of postherpetic neuralgia. In line with this theory, we comprehensively searched the existing herpes zoster literature and provided important insight into the relationship between the disease courses of herpes zoster and vitamin D.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; National Taiwan University Hospital Jin-Shan Branch, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Toxicology, National Taiwan University Medical School, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Ter
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Toxicology, National Taiwan University Medical School, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chih-Kang
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: 007378@ntuh.gov.tw.
authors.forename: Jenq-Wen
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kuan-Yu
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Hung
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D051474:Neuralgia, Postherpetic / Q000503:physiopathology; D012867:Skin / Q000821:virology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D