Incidence and risk factors for developing herpes zoster among a cohort of patients diagnosed with lymphoma at a community cancer center

The majority of viral infections in patients with lymphoma result from the reactivation of viruses such as varicella zoster causing herpes zoster (HZ). Even though most cases of HZ are self-limited, lymphoma patients are at greater risk for recurrences and more serious and atypical complications such as meningoencephalitis. There are various established risk factors for developing HZ, but the impact of baseline absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), treatment received, histologic type, and stage of lymphoma on the risk of developing HZ is not well described.
Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology - Category: Dermatology Source Type: research