Herpes Zoster Infection in a Patient on Methotrexate Given Prednisone to Prevent Post-herpetic Neuralgia
Authors: Daniel J. Anderson, Edward N. Janoff
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1987)

Letters and Corrections1 November 1987Herpes Zoster Infection in a Patient on Methotrexate Given Prednisone to Prevent Post-herpetic NeuralgiaDANIEL J. ANDERSON, M.D., EDWARD N. JANOFF, M.D.DANIEL J. ANDERSON, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, EDWARD N. JANOFF, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-107-5-783_1 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the editor: Corticosteroids are often prescribed for prevention of post-herpetic neuralgia in the elderly. We report a case of disseminated herpes zoster after prednisone treatment in a woman on low-dose methotrexate.A 66-year-old woman, treated with methotrexate (2.5 mg orally every other day) for rheumatoid arthritis, presented with a 3-day history of severe pain associated with cutaneous zoster. She was given prednisone (30 mg/d) in an attempt to prevent post-herpetic neuralgia. On day 6 she received codeine for persistent, severe pain, and on day 8 she was hospitalized with fever, confusion, shortness of breath, and mild photophobia.She appeared...References1. KECZKES K and BASHEER A. Do corticosteroids prevent post-herpetic neuralgia? Br J Dermatol. 1980;102:551-5. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. GROFF G, SCHENBERGER K, WILKE W, and TAYLOR T. Low dose oral methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis: an uncontrolled trial and review of the literature. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 1983;12:333-47. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. WILKENS R and WATSON M. Methotrexate: a perspective of its use in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. J Lab Clin Med. 1982;100:314-21. MedlineGoogle Scholar4. PERRUQUET J, HARRINGTON T, and DAVIS D. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia following methotrexate therapy for rheumatoid arthritis [Letter]. Arthritis Rheum. 1983;26:1291-2. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. ALTZ-SMITH M, KENDALL L, and STAMM A. Cryptococcosis associated with low-dose methotrexate for arthritis. Am J Med. 1987;83:179-81. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: DANIEL J. ANDERSON, M.D.; EDWARD N. JANOFF, M.D. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byShort‑term efficacy and safety of prednisone in herpes zoster and the effects on IL‑6 and IL‑10Dermatologic Manifestations of Herpes ZosterThe risk of herpes zoster in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the United States and the United KingdomArtritis reumatoide y tropismo infecciosoInfections in the immunocompromised rheumatologic patientINFECTIONS IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS AND RHEUMATOID ARTHRITISSevere, disseminated, life threatening herpes zoster infection in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis treated with methotrexate.Secondary acute myeloid leukaemia with 7q- complicating azathioprine treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.Herpes zoster in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with weekly, low-dose methotrexateHerpes zoster in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with weekly, low-dose methotrexatePostherpetic Neuralgia and Systemic Corticosteroid Therapy. 1 November 1987Volume 107, Issue 5Page: 783-783KeywordsCodeineDyspneaElderlyFeversMethotrexatePainRheumatic painRheumatoid arthritis ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 November 1987 PDF downloadLoading ...