Herpes zoster ophthalmicus in patients at risk for the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)

In a prospective investigation of 54 consecutive cases of herpes zoster ophthalmicus, conducted over a two-year period, immunologic evaluations included enumeration of T lymphocyte subsets and serum immunoglobulin levels. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus occurred with frequent ocular complications in a subgroup of adults distinguishable by their young age, the presence of AIDS-risk factors, alterations in T-cell subpopulations, and polyclonal increases of serum gammaglobulin. Over the study duration, 21% (three of 14) of the AIDS-risk subgroup patients have developed AIDS with a 14% (two of 14) mortality. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus in AIDS-risk group members appeared to be an early clinical marker for the immune deficiency induced by AIDS retroviral infection.