Molecular detection of shingles among patients in Thi-Qar province

Abstract

Herpes Zoster or shingles is still regarded as a significant public health problem worldwide distributed in different regions around the world. Accordingly, herpes zoster or shingles mainly occurred among adults with a considerable percentage of infection in all months of the year, higher in winter and spring than that detected in summer in temperate climates. For example, 10–20% of adults older than 50 years usually suffer from at least one case of zoster attack during their lifetime. Moreover, about 30% of the population are at risk of undergoing and developing shingles during their life at some points. It is estimated that 1 million adults in the United States of America (USA) are affected with shingles annually. According to previously reported data and as a result of the small number of researches related to following up the rate of infection with herpes zoster among the population of Iraq in general and Thiqar Governorate, this study aimed to determine the actual percentage of this disease, as well as to study the direct impact of risk factors for people in general and patients with viral skin diseases, in particular, and the extent of interdependence between these factors and the rate of herpes zoster infection. Therefore, this study pursued to identify the incidence of herpes zoster among patients with other skin infections. Also, to establish possible correlations between the incidence of herpes zoster infection and different factors detected, such as family history, number of family members living as a closed family, and other risk factors among male and female HZ patients compared to the control group.

There were 100 people, 50 patients, and 50 control, males and females with an age range between 10 to 80 years. All data such as age, gender, lesion site, residency, occupation, previous history of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Blood groups were collected applying a questioner.

Results of the number of cases infected with herpes zoster showed an increase in the level of infection among males compared to females. In addition, the incidence was 30 males (60%) over 20 females (40%). Furthermore, there was a high increase (16-22%) in the incidence of infection in the age groups from 50-70 years, whether in females or males, the age groups most vulnerable to infection. The presence of skin lesions is represented by vesicles in different areas of the body. The highest incidence among patients with shingles was in the sacral region (32%), followed by the lumbar region (26%), then the cervical region (22%), and the thoracic region (16%).