Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy Used as First Choice to Treat Herpes Zoster Virus Infection in Younger Patient: A Case Report.

Background

Herpes zoster virus infection is commonly described as reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV), which involves the trigeminal nerve branches and ganglia in the maxillofacial region. The ophthalmic branch is the most involved, whereas the maxillary (V2) and mandibular (V3) dermatomes are less commonly affected.

Objective

This report describes the positive clinical results of photodynamaic therapy (PDT), used as first choice treatment modality, in a younger female patient who showed a diagnosis of recurrent infection of VZV in the right cheek after five applications and without having undergone medical approach.

Methods

PDT has been used to treat several infectious processes and pre-oncological intraoral and extra-oral lesions. Our first-choice treatment protocol, taking into account her medical record, was PDT until we obtained completely regression and recovery.

Results

On the third and fourth days after light irradiation, the energy was reduced to 4 J. At fifth day of light irradiation, complete recovery was clinically observed.

Conclusions

The treatment with low-intensity laser, for both aPDT and light irradiation, was effective and safe, resulting in decontamination and healing of the area of the affected lesion, and improvement in the signs and symptoms of herpes zoster virus.