Disseminated Herpes Zoster with Decreased CD4 Counts in a HIV-Infected Patient

Linxi Zeng,1 Sen Feng,1 Lulu Yao,1 Jiaqing Zhao,1 Guoqiang Zhang1,2 1Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Candidate Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Skin Diseases, Shijiazhuang, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Guoqiang Zhang, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 89 Donggang Road, Yuhua District, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, People’s Republic of China, Email zlx090702@163.comAbstract: Herpes zoster is typically a blister rash involving a single skin group, caused by the reactivation of primary varicella zoster virus infection. Disseminated herpes zoster refers to the presence of more than 20 small blisters outside the primary or adjacent skin, which is rare and usually occurs in individuals with weakened immune function. This case described a patient diagnosed with disseminated herpes zoster, with a decrease in CD4 count (379 cells/mm3) and certain skin lesions. He was subsequently screened positive for HIV. Also, we summarized other studies on the CD4 value of HIV patients with herpes zoster. Overall, for herpes zoster patients with decreased CD4 levels and certain skin manifestations, such as diffuse, ulcerative, or pustular lesions, clinicians should be aware of HIV infection.Keywords: disseminated herpes zoster, CD4, HIV infection