Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Recurrent Herpetic Stromal Keratitis in Mice, a Model for Studying Human HSK
Published on: December 18, 2012
Analysis of herpes zoster cases in multiple sclerosis patients treated with disease-modifying drugs: insights from
Rafał Kułakowski1, Michał Chrzanowski2, Maciej Niewada1
1Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland.
Introduction:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) itself and disease modifying treatment (DMT) used in MS are risk factors of adverse herpes zoster (HZ) infection development. During HZ infection complications might develop, e.g. postherpetic neuralgia or optic neuritis, decreasing patients' quality of life. Data concerning HZ development in MS patients is limited. The authors aimed to assess the number of reports on adverse HZ development in MS patients treated with different DMTs.
Material And Methods:
The EudraVigilance database was analyzed to identify HZ reports among all adverse event reports related to MS disease-modifying therapies from 2003 to 2024. Reporting odds ratios (RORs) for the drugs were calculated, and Fisher's exact test was used. When p < 0.05, results were concluded statistically significant.
Results:
The authors identified 2,017 reports of HZ associated with MS DMTs. The highest ROR values were noted for fingolimod (4.09), cladribine (3.33), and alemtuzumab (2.27). The lowest ROR values were noted for glatiramer acetate (0.17), interferons (≈ 0.21) and teriflunomide (0.35).
Conclusions:
The study shows that some DMTs used in MS might significantly increase the risk of HZ development.
Clinical Implications:
While treating MS patient with DMTs the risk of adverse HZ should be evaluated. Vaccination against HZ should be recommended for patients to benefit the most from the available treatment.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacovigilance
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...
Herpes
Chickenpox
Cytomegalovirus Disease
Genital Herpes
Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction

