Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus : a Marker for AIDS in Lampang Hospital

Woodhi Puatham M.D.,
Watanee T. Jenchitr M.D.,
Prathan Lertmeemonkolchai M.D.,
Somchai Samaiporn M.D.,
Janthira Leetrakul R.N.
Department of Ophthalmology, Lampang Hospital

ABSTRACT A retrospective study of thirty –nine cases of herpes zoster ophthalmicus that were admitted in Lampang Hospital, conducted over a two-year period (October 1989- September 1991).

Male : female were 28:11, right eye :left eye = 11:28, age ranged from 12-87 years old (mean is 39.9 years). Immunological investigation included screening for HIV antibody by ELISA, if the test came out positive, HIV antibody by Western blot was reconfirmed. Thirty – four of HZO patients had the blood test for HIV antibody and eleven cases were positive which was 32.335% and only limited to the male group betwween 15-5 years old. These group of people were the risk group for AIDS in Thailand, so HIV antibody was conducted in the patient of the same age group during the same period as control and only 1.53% were positive.

It is concluded that HZO appeared to be an early clinical marker for the immune deficiency induced by AIDS retroviral infection. We suggest that underlying AIDS be considered in yong, healthy persons with herpes zoster ophthalmicus and no known cause of immunosuppression, no history of homosexuality, intrvenous drug abuse or transfusion in the previous five years.

Thai J Ophthalmol 1992; January –June 6 (1) : 23-29