Zona zoster; an atypical presentation with severe pre-lesion pain: a case report

Abstract

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is an alpha herpesvirus with a double-stranded DNA genome. VZV infects humans, and its primary targets are T lymphocytes, epithelial cells, and ganglia. The primary infection results in chickenpox, during which VZV becomes latent in ganglionic neurons.

Keywords

• Zona zoster
• alpha herpesvirus
• ganglionic neurons

Zona zoster; an atypical presentation with severe pre-lesion pain: a case report

Abstract

The Varicella Zoster virus can initially cause chickenpox in humans and then become latent. It can later reactivate for various reasons and manifest as shingles in dermatome areas, characterized by redness, rash, and neuropathic pain. In this case, we want to highlight a Zoster case with atypical symptoms resembling acute coronary syndrome, but without the presence of a rash. The patient is a 78-year-old female who presented to the emergency department with complaints of chest pain resembling acute coronary syndrome.

Keywords

• Differential diagnosis
• atypical zona
• acute coronary syndrome

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