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Herpes zoster optic neuritis

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Abstract

Herpes zoster (HZ) is an acute infection caused by reactivation of the latent varicella-zoster virus [1]. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) occurs when inflammation spreads from the ganglion of Gasser to the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. Optic neuritis, a very rare sequela of HZO [2–4], can occur simultaneously to the acute vesicular skin eruption or, more frequently, as a postherpetic complication. We report on a 74-year-old woman who presented with HZ optic neuritis 45 days after developing an incompletely treated bout of trigeminal HZ, characterized only by pruritus. It is important to value the non-specific manifestations of cutaneous HZ in the prodromal phase, so as to offer timely and appropriate treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Resident of the Centro Oftalmológico de Minas Gerais, Rua Santa Catarina 941, Bairro: Lourdes, Cep 30170-081, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Breno de Mello Vitor

  2. Ophthalmologist of the Centro Oftalmológico de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    Emílio Castelar Macedo Foureaux

  3. Department of Retina and Vitreous, Centro Oftalmológico de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    Fernanda Belga Ottoni Porto

  4. Uveitis Department, Hospital São Geraldo, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    Fernanda Belga Ottoni Porto

Authors
  1. Breno de Mello Vitor
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  2. Emílio Castelar Macedo Foureaux
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  3. Fernanda Belga Ottoni Porto
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Correspondence to Breno de Mello Vitor.

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de Mello Vitor, B., Foureaux, E.C.M. & Porto, F.B.O. Herpes zoster optic neuritis. Int Ophthalmol 31, 233–236 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-011-9443-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-011-9443-y

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