A Case of Subcutaneous Abscess at the Site of Herpes Zoster in a Patient with Poorly Controlled Diabetes

Abstract

A 60-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our division for treatment of subcutaneous abscess on the left back at the site of herpes zoster. Because of severe skin lesions and high levels of blood glucose, the abscess was treated with systemic antibiotics as well as topical medications, and her blood glucose levels were managed in an inpatient setting. The lesions healed on day 61 after hospitalization. There have been 3 patients with secondary bacterial infection occurring at a site of herpes zoster during the last 10 years in the Japanese literature. In 2 of these 3 patients, the underlying disease was diabetes mellitus. Given the results, diabetes mellitus-induced immunosuppression may cause secondary bacterial infection at the site of herpes zoster. The present case illustrates the importance of medical practitioners paying attention to diabetes mellitus and blood glucose control.Skin Research, 13: 13-15, 2014