Korean J Dermatol.  2010 Apr;48(4):339-341.

A Case of Herpes Zoster Duplex Bilateralis, a Diagnostic Clue of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

• Ryu DJ
• Jung JY
• Lee S
• Lee JH

Abstract

The skin lesion of herpes zoster is typically limited to a single dermatome. The clinical appearance of herpes zoster in immunocompromised patients is usually identical to typical zoster, but lesions may be more severe and there can be multidermatomal involvement. The appearance of herpes zoster occurring in two non-contiguous dermatomes has been referred to as zoster duplex unilateralis or bilateralis. Herpes zoster duplex bilateralis is a rare manifestation of herpes zoster and almost all reported cases have in immunocompromised patients with hematologic cancer, patients taking immunosuppressant drugs for chronic illnesses and patients receiving chemotherapy for solid cancers. We report a case of herpes zoster duplex bilateralis, which was a diagnostic clue of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Keyword

Herpes zoster duplex bilateralis; Human immunodeficiency virus infection

MeSH Terms

Humans