The Incidence of Recurrent Herpes Simplex and Herpes Zoster Infection during Treatment with Arsenic Trioxide
February 2006 | Volume 5 | Issue 2 | Case Reports | 182 | Copyright © February 2006
Keyvan Nouri MD, Carlos A. Ricotti Jr. MD, Navid Bouzari MD, Halland Chen BS, Eugene Ahn MD, Bach Ardalan MD
Abstract
We report the incidence of varicella zoster virus (VZV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in patients with multiple
myeloma and colon cancer who were treated with arsenic trioxide for their disease. In this report, we discuss the effects
of arsenic on immune system, and suggest arsenic compounds as a possible predisposing factor for viral reactivation in
these patients. 
