Herpes Zoster in Palate: Atypical Presentation in Immunosuppressed Patient Secondary to Rituximab, a Case Report and Review of Clinical Manifestations and Management

Abstract

Herpes zoster (HZ) is caused by the reactivation of the latent varicella zoster virus (vZv). The cause of reactivation may be associated with predisposing factors such as age, stress or the impaired immune system and an association with autoimmune diseases has been seen. Its clinical presentation is characterized by the appearance of multiple vesicles that rupture quickly, leaving small, very painful ulcers that are distributed respecting specific dermatomes. The diagnosis in most cases is clinical, and complementary tests may be necessary and differential diagnoses may be excluded in cases of atypical presentation. The main sequelae after the disappearance of skin signs is postherpetic neuralgia, which is more common in the elderly. Early diagnosis and rapid initiation of treatment determine the prognosis, especially in immunocompromised individuals. In this work we report a case of atypical clinical presentation in a woman with autoimmune disease, immunocompromised and belonging to the elderly population, being a clear example of the patient in whom special attention should be paid when establishing the diagnosis with the aim of emphasizing early detection and rapid establishment of appropriate treatment, avoiding deleterious outcomes.