An unusual co-reactivation of herpes genitalis and shingles in a young male with primary genital herpes in partner.

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is the most common cause of genital ulcers in industrialized countries. Herpes zoster (HZ) is an acute, cutaneous viral infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). A 27-year-old male presented with painful vesicles over the trunk for the last 5days with painful genital erosions for the last 2days. His spouse also developed painful genital erosions with systemic complaints for the last 2days. VZV Polymerase Chain reaction (PCR) from trunk vesicles and type-specific anti-HSV antibody from serum were positive from the index case. Here, we report an unusual case of co-reactivation of herpes zoster and genitalis in an immunocompetent male. We recommend the use of molecular testing to confirm the diagnosis of VZV or HSV infection in all cases of genital herpes-like lesions to exclude multi-segmental herpes zoster.