Zoster brachial plexopathy as a presenting manifestation of human immunodeficiency virus infection

Abstract

Brachial plexopathy is an uncommon neurologic complication of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection. VZV is not an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-defining illness, but human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a risk factor for atypical and severe complications of VZV reactivation. Here, we present a 70-year-old male, who presented with left upper-limb weakness, preceded by painful dermatomal vesicular eruption, and was diagnosed to have zoster brachial plexopathy. This severe and atypical manifestation of VZV prompted HIV infection testing, leading to a new diagnosis of HIV infection.

Keywords

• brachial plexopathy
• human immunodeficiency virus
• shingles
• varicella-zoster virus