Case report: Relapsed disseminated cutaneous herpes zoster successfully treated with brivudine

A 64-year-old man presented with painful rash on the trunk and extremities for more than half a month. Nephrotic syndrome had been diagnosed 2 years ago and had been regularly treated with glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants. He developed herpes zoster 1 year ago. Laboratory investigation demonstrated varicella-zoster virus DNA (VZV-DNA), varicella-zoster virus IgM (VZV-IgM), and varicella-zoster virus antibody IgG (VZV-IgG) were all positive. After the clinical diagnosis of relapsed disseminated cutaneous herpes zoster had been confirmed, systemic therapy with brivudine 125 mg everyday was started.