Orient Journal of Surgical Sciences

ABSTRACT

Aim: To determine the relevance of human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity among patients with herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) seen at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital Awka, Nigeria.
Methods: This is a retrospective hospital based study done at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital Awka. We retrospectively studied folders of patients diagnosed of herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) between January 2014 and December 2019 in the Eye Unit of the institution. Relevant information on demographic data which included age, sex and marital status, as well as the relevant signs and symptoms were extracted for the audit. The results were analysed using descriptive statistics.
Results: Out of the 32 patients with herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO), 6(18.8%) were seronegative while 26(81.2%) were seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Of the 32 patients, 11(34.4%) were males and 21 (65.6%) were females, with male to female ratio of 1:1.9. The age range was 25 years to 76 years. Seven (21.9%) patients were aged between 41 and 45 years, median age was 47 years. Nine (28.1%) patients came with early symptoms and signs of HZO consisting of tingling sensation, pains and vesicular eruptions.
The last follow-up visual acuity were 6/6 - 6/18 in 13 (40.6%) individuals, < 6/18 - 3/60 in 9 (28.19%) patients and <3/60 in 10(31.3%) others.
Conclusion: The association between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity and herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) is authentic. Viral screening and early presentation of all patients with HZO should be encouraged. Not all HZO patients are seropositive for HIV. Some cultural practices which retain women in their parental homes to perpetuate the family lineage should be abolished as this tends to encourage promiscuity with the attendant risk for HIV and HZO.

Keywords: Relevance, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Seropositivity, Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus, Nigeria.