Herpes zoster of gingiva in an older woman: a rare case report

• Published in: Gerodontology 2017-06, Vol.34 (2), p.280-283
• Main Authors: Chopra, Aditi, Sivaraman, Karthik, Thomas, Betsy S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acyclovir - therapeutic use; Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use; craniofacial pain; Dentistry; Female; Gingivitis - diagnosis; Gingivitis - drug therapy; Gingivitis - virology; herpes virus infections; herpes viruses; Herpes Zoster - diagnosis; Herpes Zoster - drug therapy; Herpesviridae; Herpesvirus 3, Human - isolation & purification; Humans; Middle Aged; periodontitis; Varicella-zoster virus
• ISSN: 0734-0664; 1741-2358
• DOI: 10.1111/ger.12246

Objective The aim of the article is to highlight the distinguishing features of secondary varicella gingival infection in an older women. Background Herpes zoster is an acute sporadic, painful viral infection in older people caused by the reactivation of the latent varicella zoster virus. Herpes zoster affecting the gingiva without any dermal lesions is a rare pathological condition that mimics many intraoral vesiculobullous lesions. The ambiguous nature of this condition creates a diagnostic dilemma. Materials and methods A 58‐year‐old woman presented with an acute, unilateral and persistent burning sensation and pain in the gingiva with desqaumating vesicullobulous lesion. Results The women was diagnosed with secondary varicella zoster infection. Conclusion Herpes zoster of the gingiva could manifest as painful desquamative vesicular lesions, pulpal or other painful neuralgic condition in older individuals which need careful diagnosis before formulating appropiate treatment plan