Small Vessel Vasculitis in Herpes Zoster—Discussion of Current Aspects of Varicella Zoster Virus Vasculopathy

We report an immunocompetent patient who presented with a rare form of cutaneous VZV infection of the upper leg characterized by vasculitic changes of the small vessels without typical herpetic epidermal features or neural involvement. Intriguingly, the vasculitis appeared prior to the characteristic vesicular rush without any pain symptoms. Because VZV can cause vasculopathic damage mainly within the central nervous system in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients, we recommend continuous clinical controls to recognize central symptoms that are related to VZV vasculopathy or giant cell arteriitis.
Source: The American Journal of Dermatopathology - Category: Pathology Tags: Controversies in Dermatopathology Source Type: research