Gastrointestinal herpes zoster in a patient on infliximab: a case report.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation in immunocompromised patients may present atypically, including with severe gastrointestinal involvement. We present a case of a 36-year-old male with ileocolic Crohn's disease, who, following Infliximab (IFX) therapy, developed severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Subsequent investigations confirmed a disseminated VZV infection with esophagogastric and duodenal involvement. Our case highlights the crucial need for heightened clinical awareness regarding unusual VZV presentations in immunocompromised patients, especially those receiving TNF- α inhibitors such as Infliximab, known to increase the risk of VZV reactivation. Given the potentially high mortality rate (approximately 40%) associated with gastrointestinal VZV involvement, prompt and aggressive antiviral treatment is imperative.