Herpes Zoster and Treatments for Psoriasis

Herpes zoster infection was not associated with any individual psoriasis treatment, but it was significantly associated with concomitant use of methotrexate and a biologic agent.

Herpes zoster (HZ) infection is more prevalent in older persons (perhaps due to waning immunity), who have greater risk for postherpetic neuralgia. Live vaccine is recommended for all persons older than 60, but it is contraindicated for immunocompromised patients, particularly those with HIV infection whose CD4 count is lower than 200. Patients receiving immunomodulatory drugs might have increased risk for HZ and for complications, including dissemination and postherpetic neuralgia. These authors used a large Israeli database to study the rate of HZ in psoriasis patients receiving a variety of treatments, including phototherapy and systemic therapies; 95,941 patients were observed over roughly 11 years (522,616 person-years).

HZ was not asso…

Reviewing Author

Jeffrey P. Callen, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board XOMA; Eli Lilly; Celgene

Equity Various trust accounts

Editorial boards JAMA Dermatology; UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societies Association of Professors of Dermatology (President-Elect)