Herpes zoster infection in a patient with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis treated with diroximel fumarate
We present a case of a woman in her 50s with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, treated with diroximel fumarate, who developed an itching, burning vesicular rash following a C3 dermatomal distribution on her left face and neck. She was diagnosed with herpes zoster, treated with valacyclovir and gabapentin, and made a full recovery. Ensuring patients are protected against varicella-zoster virus before starting diroximel fumarate can prevent this painful infection. Thus, we recommend vaccination against the varicella-zoster virus prior to diroximel fumarate initiation be incorporated as the standard of care.
Authors
- Alexandra Balshi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3202-6921)
- John Dempsey
- Jacob A. Sloane (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0028-3031)
Institutions
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (US)
- SUNY Upstate Medical University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- BMJ Case Reports
- Published
- 2025-04-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2024-264081
- Primary Topic
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00