TITLE:
Epidemiological, Clinical, Therapeutic, and Evolutionary Characteristics of Herpes Zoster in Patients Hospitalized at the Infectious Diseases Department of Fann Hospital in Dakar
AUTHORS:
Ndeye Aïssatou Lakhe, Daouda Thioub, Gaad Idriss Gaad, Aminata Massaly, Ndeye Fatou Ngom, Khardiata Diallo-Mbaye, Aboubakar Sadikh Badiane, Ndeye Maguette Fall, Mamadou Seck, Viviane Cisse-Diallo, Daye Ka, Assane Diouf, Louise Fortes, Cheikh Tidiane Ndour, Moussa Seydi
KEYWORDS:
Herpes Zoster, Prevalence, Characteristics, Dakar
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Infectious Diseases,
Vol.15 No.4,
October
11,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Herpes zoster, caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), appears as a localized recurrence in a dermatome, mainly during immunocompromised states. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, and evolutionary characteristics of patients who were hospitalized for herpes zoster. Patients and Methods: A retrospective, descriptive study was conducted from January 1, 2018, to June 30, 2024, using records of patients hospitalized for herpes zoster at the Fann Infectious Diseases Department. The data were entered using an Excel spreadsheet and subsequently analyzed using IBM SPSS version 26 software. Results: A total of 18 cases were reported (0.4% frequency). The median age was 58 years [33.5 - 62.5], with a female predominance (M/F ratio 0.8). Hypertension and diabetes were frequent comorbidities. All patients had pain and rash, mostly on the hemiface (50%) and hemithorax (22%). Ophthalmic zoster accounted for 44.45% of cases, and HIV infection was found in half. Treatment mainly included step 2 analgesics (66.67%) and antivirals (94.44%). Postherpetic neuralgia occurred in three patients. The mortality rate was 11.11% (two patients), affecting only HIV-positive women, with ophthalmic herpes zoster. Conclusion: Herpes zoster remains common in adults and the elderly, sometimes revealing HIV. The mortality rate is low. Complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia, cause significant disability, even in non-immunocompromised patients.