Herpes Zoster in a Patient With Hodgkin's Disease

The development of herpes zoster, particularly the disseminated form, in a patient with Hodgkin's Disease is generally a cause of concern, for this infection is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.1Until recently no satisfactory specific treatment had been described. In 1965, Calabresi2suggested the systemic use of idoxuridine (IUDR) in the therapy of disseminated zoster infections. The rationale for the use of IUDR is the fact that herpes zoster is a deoxyribonucleic acid containing virus and IUDR has been shown to effectively inhibit the replication of several DNA containing viruses.3This compound, a thymidine antimetabolite, had been found to be effective in the treatment of ophthalmic herpes simplex infections.4We have recently had the opportunity to treat a patient with stage IV Hodgkin's disease and disseminated herpes zoster with this agent. Patient Summary A 34-year-old white Airman originally presented in March 1955 with a right