A case of disseminated herpes zoster diagnosed by metagenomic analysis of ascitic fluid

We report a case of disseminated herpes zoster diagnosed by high-throughput sequencing. A 74-year-old female presented with a one-week history of abdominal pain and distension. Two months ago, she was diagnosed with ANCA-associated vasculitis and received immunosuppressive therapy. One week ago, she developed unexplained abdominal pain. Pathogen DNA sequencing of ascitic fluid indicated varicella-zoster virus infection. Two days later, the patient developed clustered hemorrhagic blisters with pain on her left lower limb. The patient was diagnosed with disseminated herpes zoster. Despite active treatment, the therapeutic response was unsatisfactory. The patient did not pursue further treatment and is currently lost to follow-up.