Herpes zoster occurring over the site of tinea cruris—A case report based on the model of T‐cell exhaustion in the Ruocco's immunocompromised cutaneous district

Abstract

Key Clinical Message Immunocompromised district refers to the area of the skin with altered immune response predisposing secondary diseases to develop in an immunocompetent individual. This might be explained by the theory of T‐cell exhaustion which is characterized by the impairment of the effector function of antigen‐specific T cells due to chronic persistence of the primary antigen. T‐cell exhaustion model is not well known; however, it serves as a newer concept in the pathogenesis of diseases occurring simultaneously over the same site. Thus, it is not surprising to have two different infectious or non‐infectious dermatoses over the same site one preceding the other as observed in our patient. The concept of immunocompromised district and T‐cell exhaustion is a rare phenomenon; however, it should be identified by the treating physicians/dermatologists for the optimum management of the atypical presentation of the diseases.

Keywords

• epitope sharing
• herpes zoster
• immunocompromised cutaneous district
• T‐cell exhaustion
• tinea cruris