Bullous Disseminated Herpes Zoster: An Atypical Presentation

Abstract

Herpes zoster is an infection resulting from the reactivation of dormant varicella zoster virus (VZV) in a posterior dorsal root ganglion. It affects 50% of immunocompromised patients and, when the viral infection persists, it can lead to a process known as disseminated varicella zoster virus (dVZV). Here we discuss a case of a bullous presentation of VZV with a rapid evolution of disseminated herpes zoster in an immunocompromised patient. Maintaining a broad differential diagnosis is necessary for early diagnosis and treatment of atypical presentations of herpes zoster, which is imperative to avoid increasing morbidity and mortality.