Can COVID-19 Increase the Risk of Herpes Zoster? A Narrative Review.

Herpes zoster (HZ) is associated with substantial morbidity. It is caused by reactivation of the latent varicella zoster virus (VZV) following decline in cell-mediated immunity, which is commonly age-related, but also occurs in individuals with immunosuppressive diseases and/or treatment. Since coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, has been associated with T cell immune dysfunction and there have been reports of HZ in COVID-19 patients, we have performed a review of available literature on whether COVID-19 could trigger HZ. We identified 27 cases of HZ following COVID-19, which most frequently occurred within 1-2 weeks of COVID-19, and the majority of cases had typical presentation. Atypical presentations of HZ were noted especially in patients with lymphopenia. It has been hypothesized that VZV reactivation occurs as a consequence of T cell dysfunction (including lymphopenia and lymphocyte exhaustion) in COVID-19 patients. Based on current evidence, which is limited to case reports and case series, it is not possible to determine whether COVID-19 increases the risk of HZ. Practitioners should be aware of the possible increased risk of HZ during the pandemic period and consider timely therapeutic and preventive measures against it.

Key Summary Points

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Introduction

Herpes zoster (HZ) is caused by reactivation of the latent varicella zoster virus (VZV) [1]. It typically presents as a painful unilateral dermatomal rash associated with substantial morbidity and decline in quality of life. Reactivation is believed to follow a decline in VZV-specific cell-mediated immunity (CMI), which is most commonly age-related. As a result, a steady increase in the incidence rate is observed starting at 50 years of age with the highest incidence rates in individuals > 65 years of age [2]. A decline in the CMI response due to immunosuppressive disease and/or treatment is also a known risk factor/trigger for HZ development. In the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it is noteworthy that T cell immune dysfunction has been reported in patients with COVID-19 [3]. This includes lymphopenia [lower cluster of differentiation (CD)4+, CD8+, B cells and natural killer (NK) cells], impaired lymphopoiesis, increased lymphocyte apoptosis and lymphocyte exhaustion.

While there have been several reports and short summaries on cases of HZ in patients with COVID-19, to our knowledge there is no comprehensive review on this subject [4, 5]. We have undertaken the current study to raise awareness among practitioners and researchers about the possible association of COVID-19 and HZ by summarizing case reports since the pandemic onset, elaborating a possible biological basis related to how COVID-19 may trigger HZ and provide an assessment of the increased risk of HZ in patients with COVID-19 based on available evidence.

Methods

Considering the limited but rapidly evolving emergence of scientific literature on HZ and COVID-19, a narrative review was undertaken. We performed a search in two databases (PubMed and Embase) with broad search terms (“Shingles,” “Herpes zoster,” and “COVID-19”) in the English language during the period from 12 March 2020 to 31 December 2020. To identify publications on HZ in patients with COVID-19, all abstracts were first reviewed to identify relevant articles and then full-text availability. All full-text articles that included case reports of HZ patients with COVID-19 were included, and a descriptive analysis of the cases was performed.

Compliance with Ethics Guidelines

This article is based on previously conducted studies and does not contain any new studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

Results and Discussion

The search strategy provided 76 and 33 hits from Embase and PubMed, respectively. Then, we reviewed the titles and abstracts of these searches to identify relevant articles. We identified 13 articles as relevant. We did not exclude any article on the basis of full-text review. The selected articles included 27 HZ cases occurring after COVID-19. We included these cases in our analysis. Supplementary Table 1 provides an overview of clinical and laboratory case observations.

Description of HZ Cases in Patients with COVID-19

Demographic and Co-Morbid Conditions

Cases included both genders and were reported worldwide, including Europe (Italy, Spain), Asia (Saudi Arabia, China, India), Africa (Egypt), North America (United States) and South America (Brazil) [6-17]. There were cases with known risk factors for HZ, which included age > 50 years (n = 19), immunosuppressive therapies/immunomodulators (n = 2) and diabetes mellitus (n = 3) [5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13–17].

COVID-19 Severity

The severity of COVID-19 was varied. Most of the patients (16/27) had an uncomplicated disease for which they received outpatient treatment; the remaining cases had pneumonia or hospitalization.

Period Between Diagnosis of COVID-19 and HZ

The period between HZ and COVID-19 was available for 23 cases (see Fig. 1). In most of these cases (n = 13) HZ was diagnosed simultaneously or within the 1st week of COVID-19 diagnosis, with the remaining cases (n = 10) occurring within 10 weeks of COVID-19. For four other cases, HZ was diagnosed within a week after hospitalization for COVID-19 [16].

Fig. 1

Period until HZ diagnosis following COVID-19 (N = 23) [6–15, 17]

Clinical Presentation of HZ

Most cases of HZ were diagnosed following a clinical examination by a dermatologist. In a few situations, the diagnosis was based on telemedicine consultations and photographs/videos [6, 7, 13]. Supportive laboratory testing for HZ was available in a limited number of cases [10, 12, 15].

In most cases, HZ had a typical presentation with lesions on the face [including herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO)], trunk, hips/buttocks or inguinal region. There were two cases of multi-dermatomal involvement, and three cases had necrotic features in otherwise healthy individuals [5, 17]. Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) was reported in one case [11].

Lymphopenia (or relative lymphopenia) was reported in several cases, including those with (1) multi-dermatomal involvement, (2) necrotic features or (3) HZ occurring 8–10 weeks following COVID-19 diagnosis [5, 11, 16, 17]. A low CD4+/CD8+ ratio was reported in two cases and an increased interleukin (IL)-6 level in one case [5, 17].

Interpretation of Currently Available Clinical Evidence

Since the clinical evidence of HZ occurrence in COVID-19 patients is limited to case reports and case series, it is necessary to consider the limitations of such data. Single case reports or case series are generally considered of low level of evidence. There is no comparator or control group, and they are not designed to assess risks. HZ is not an uncommon disease and will occur in a percentage of the population during the pandemic period. Furthermore, some risk factors for both diseases are shared (i.e., age, comorbid conditions, immunosuppression). Increased levels of stress and reduced exogenous boosting VZV (due to limited contact between elderly and young children) may also impact HZ occurrence during the pandemic period. Based on the available evidence, it is not possible to determine whether there has been any real HZ increase during the pandemic period or in patients with COVID-19.

Is There a Medical or Biological Basis for an Increased Risk of HZ in COVID-19 Patients?

Resolution of primary infection by VZV is associated with the induction of VZV-specific memory T cells and persistence of VZV in the sensory ganglia [18]. This memory immune response is boosted periodically by exposure to varicella or silent reactivation of latent VZV. VZV-specific memory T cells decline with age, and, as they decline below a threshold, there is an increased risk of HZ. While HZ reactivation is most commonly due to age-related decline in immunity, it can also occur in immunosuppressive conditions or treatments.

It has been hypothesized that since severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can result in a wide range of T cell immune dysfunctions (including lymphopenia and lymphocyte exhaustion), it is during this period that the latent VZV reactivates [4]. Stress-induced reactivation of VZV has also been hypothesized [6, 12].

Lymphopenia

Lymphopenia has been reported in > 80% of COVID-19 cases, with some studies suggesting that it is more prominent in severe disease [19, 20]. In a study that compared levels of peripheral lymphocyte subsets in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with healthy controls, COVID-19 patients had a significantly lower total lymphocytes, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells and NK cells [21]. Possible causes of lymphopenia include:

Lymphocytes express surface angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors, and COVID-19 may be able to directly infect these cells with ultimate lysis.

A marked increase in cytokines [including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-6] during the cytokine storm may promote lymphocyte apoptosis and result in atrophy of lymphoid organs with reduced lymphocyte turnover.

Lactic acidosis may inhibit lymphocyte proliferation [3, 20].

The significance of the lymphocyte count in HZ has been evaluated in a few studies. A study involving 192 patients with HZ and 28 controls showed that HZ patients had significantly lower levels of CD3+ T cells, CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells than the control group [22]. A similar observation was also made in another study that included 65 patients with ophthalmic zoster sine herpete (and 41 controls), in which patients with ophthalmic zoster sine herpete had significantly lower lymphocyte counts [23].

Lymphocyte Exhaustion

Functional studies have shown lymphocyte exhaustion with impairment of CD4+ helper T cells and T reg function as well as initial hyperactivation followed by a rapid exhaustion of CD8+ T cells [20]. Exhausting markers [e.g., CD94/ NK group 2 member A (NKG2A)] on cytotoxic cells (including CD8+ T cells and NK cells) are upregulated, and multi-functional CD4+ T cells [expressing at least 2 of the function-related cytokines interferon (INF)-γ, TNF-α and IL-2] significantly decreased in the severe vs. mild disease or in healthy individuals [24, 25].

While the above studies do suggest that COVID-19 impairs T cell function, the level and duration of immunosuppression needed to trigger HZ is not known. Studies in patients with Epstein-Barr–virus and cytomegalovirus infection suggest that transient immunosuppression may interfere with the latency of VZV, and in persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the level of immunosuppression (CD4 cell count < 500 cell/mm3) has been shown to increase risk for HZ [26-29].

What Type of Clinical/Epidemiological Evidence Is Needed to Assess Whether There Has Been an Increase in HZ Cases During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Since there is a possible biological basis for SARS-CoV-2 infection triggering HZ and this can explain an increased risk of HZ in patients with COVID-19, there is a need to evaluate HZ cases during the pandemic period with well-designed studies. Studies could assess either the risk of HZ in patients with COVID-19 or HZ trends during the pandemic. Studies designed to assess the risk of HZ in patients with and without COVID-19 during the pandemic period could assess whether there has been an increased risk of HZ in patients with COVID-19. Both case-control and retrospective cohort studies can be considered. Cases and controls need to be matched. Studies designed to assess HZ trends during the pandemic vs. pre-pandemic period may provide an understanding of broad trends in the population but cannot specifically determine whether a change in trends was due to COVID-19 or another cause. Studies can evaluate the incidence rate in the general population or the occurrence of HZ in specific populations (e.g., administrative or hospital databases). Interestingly, a descriptive analysis of HZ diagnosis in the Brazilian public health system identified a 35.4% increase in HZ diagnosis during the pandemic period (March to August 2020) versus the comparable period in 2017–2019 (Fig. 2) [30]. This should be interpreted with caution, as this does not provide direct evidence that the increase has been due to COVID-19.

Fig. 2

Average per million inhabitants with herpes zoster (HZ) diagnoses reported by the Brazilian public health system in all geographical regions between March and August 2017–2019 compared to the same period in 2020 [30]

There are a few pandemic-related factors that need to be considered when designing a study, as they may influence the detection/confirmation of cases and hence the study outcomes. These include the assessment of access to medicines, healthcare-seeking behavior during the pandemic period, telemedicine consultations, COVID-19 testing protocols and government-mandated control measures including lockdowns. There have been substantial variations in these factors during the pandemic across regions and time periods, and it is critical to understand their impact on the study design and outcome.

Conclusion

HZ causes substantial morbidity and commonly affects older adults. We have noted numerous case reports of HZ in patients with COVID-19. Most of these HZ cases occurred within weeks of COVID-19 and had a typical presentation. There were a few cases with atypical presentations that are commonly seen in immunocompromised individuals. Considering the limitations in case report interpretation, and based on current evidence, it is not possible to determine whether COVID-19 increases the risk of HZ. However, there is a possible biological basis for an increase in the risk of HZ in COVID-19 patients. Further research in the form of well-designed studies is needed to assess this association. Practitioners should be aware of the possible increased risk of HZ during the pandemic period and consider timely therapeutic and preventive measures against HZ.

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 63 KB)

Adults > 50 years of age or those who have a weakened immune system are more vulnerable to developing herpes zoster (also known as shingles)

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, can weaken the immune system and lead to an increased risk of developing herpes zoster in this vulnerable population

Several cases of herpes zoster in patients with COVID-19 have been reported in the literature, but currently available data cannot confirm an increased occurrence

More research is needed to better understand whether there is an increased presence of herpes zoster in patients with COVID-19

Healthcare providers should be aware of this possibility during the COVID-19 pandemic and consider measures to prevent or treat herpes zoster