Death Caused by Disseminated Herpes Zoster in a Patient with Multiple Myeloma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

We report a fatal case of disseminated herpes zoster in a patient with multiple myeloma, illustrating the severe risks immunocompromised individuals face from viral infections. By combining a detailed case report with an extensive literature review, the paper seeks to shed light on the underlying susceptibility factors for varicella-zoster virus infection in multiple myeloma patients. We further evaluate effective prophylactic protocols for herpes zoster, aiming to equip clinicians with improved therapeutic strategies. The case underscores the critical need for vigilant clinical assessments and tailored patient management to mitigate infection risks and enhance patient outcomes.

Keywords:

• multiple myeloma
• disseminated herpes zoster
• antiviral prophylaxis
• immunodeficiency

Ethics Approval

In crafting this article, adherence to the Declaration of Helsinki’s ethical guidelines was ensured. The process complied with prevailing local legislation and institutional protocols, negating the need for ethical oversight in publishing case details. The consent for the publication of this case report, including all data and images, was duly obtained from the family member of the patient.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Hundred Talents Programme for Enhancing Research Capacity of the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China (Grant No. 20-B04).