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Herpes zoster infection, vaccination and immunocompromised rheumatology patients

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Abstract

Varicella is a self-limiting and relatively mild disease of childhood, although it is frequently more severe and complicated among the immunocompromised rheumatology patients on immunomodulator therapies. In addition, future reactivation of the dormant virus in dorsal root ganglia may cause herpes zoster infection, which can be very debilitating. In this manuscript, we discuss the nature of this infection along with its potential vaccine especially among rheumatology patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork, Ireland

    Mortimer B. O’Connor & Mark J. Phelan

Authors
  1. Mortimer B. O’Connor
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  2. Mark J. Phelan
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Correspondence to Mortimer B. O’Connor.

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O’Connor, M.B., Phelan, M.J. Herpes zoster infection, vaccination and immunocompromised rheumatology patients. Rheumatol Int 33, 239–240 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-011-2155-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-011-2155-9

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