Herpes Zoster Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis for Herpes Zoster ::

  • Isolation of VZV in tissue culture, detection of VZV DNA by PCR, or direct immunofluorescent staining of cells from the lesion base
Herpes Zoster

Herpes Zoster

Herpes Zoster 2

Herpes Zoster

  •  Seroconversion or a fourfold or greater rise in antibody titer between convalescent- and acute-phase serum specimens. The fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen (FAMA) test, immune adherence hemagglutination test, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are the most frequently used techniques.
  • Note the fluid filled vesicles, on one side of the body, affecting one dermatome. The distribution is diagnostic of Herpes Zoster (Shingles). Redness around the vesicles denotes active stage.
  • Eruption of grouped vesicles on an erythematous base usually limited to a single dermatome (“shingles”); disseminated lesions can also occur, especially in immunocompromised pts. Tzanck preparation reveals multinucleate giant cells; indistinguishable from herpes simplex except by culture. Postherpetic neuralgia, lasting months to years, may occur, especially in the elderly
  • Very early eruption is seen over at the back end

  • • Zoster of the facial nerve presents with lesions in the external auditory canal (Ramsay Hunt syndrome)
    • Disseminated zoster may present with widespread cutaneous and visceral lesions
    • Extensive and haemorrhagic vesicles may develop in patients with AIDS
  • the redness of skin which appears first. Then tiny vesicles form, and gradually enlarge filled with a clear fluid.The second picture shows a later stage , where vesicles are drying and scabs are formed
  • Trigeminal zoster may affect:: the ophthalmic nerve (causing severe conjunctivitis)
    •  the maxillary nerve (causing vesicles on the uvula or tonsils)
    •  the mandibular nerve (causing vesicles on the floor of the mouth and on the tongue
  • Observe the blebs and vescicles over the left side of the abdomen and back, which stop at the midline, at both ends.
  • Painful, Vescicular rash stopping in midline is the classic picture of Herpes zoster, which affects a single dermatome.
  • The redness around the blebs, and fluid filled blebs, means that it is acute erupting rash. So anti-viral drugs should be given.
  • Later scabs will form,and then fall off

Treatment for Herpes Zoster

  • Antiviral therapy: Acyclovir for children <12 years of age (20 mg/kg q6h, if initiated early in disease) and for adolescents and adults (800 mg five times daily for 5–7 days for chickenpox of le24 h duration) is recommended. Valacyclovir and famciclovir are probably as efficacious or more so.
  • Good hygiene, meticulous skin care, and antipruritic drugs are important to relieve symptoms and prevent bacterial superinfection of skin lesions.
  • Zoster: Lesions heal more quickly with antiviral treatment: acyclovir, 800 mg five times daily for 7–10 days; famciclovir, 500 mg tid for 7 days (one study also showed twofold faster resolution of PHN with this agent); or valacyclovir, 1 g tid for 5–7 days.

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