Lorraine L. Rosamilia, MD
Dr. Rosamilia is from the Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Health System, State College, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Rosamilia reports no conflicts of interest in relation to this post.
On June 1, Dermatology (2012;224:251-256) published a study outlining the risk for herpes zoster in patients exposed to biologic agents. The incidence and clinical features of zoster were examined in a single cohort of 1220 patients taking biologics for psoriasis and other US Food and Drug Administration–approved indications. There was indeed an increased incidence of zoster, particularly in patients older than 60 years, but it did not reach statistical significance. However, the presence of severe and prolonged skin involvement, multidermatomal distribution, and persistent postherpetic neuralgia was common.
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