Heydari, DaryuşKaya, ÇağdaşHeydari, AyliSezgin, Gülbüz2024-10-082024-10-082024Heydari D., Kaya C., Heydari A. ve Sezgin G. (2024). A two-year comparative study on varicella-zoster virus incidence before and after COVID-19. Open Journal of Clinical & Medical Case Reports, (10), s.1-7.2379-1039https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12415/12873Objective: This study aimed to assess and compare the prevalence and characteristics of herpes zoster cases before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the potential impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on herpes zoster cases diagnosed in 2019 and 2022. Data collected included patient demographics, lesion distributions, COVID-19 PCR test results, and vaccination statuses. Statistical analyses using SPSS were performed to compare findings between the two periods. Results: In 2019, 25 out of 1578 patients (1.584%) were diagnosed with herpes zoster, whereas in 2022, the number rose to 40 out of 3024 patients (1.322%), reflecting a 60% increase in case numbers but a 0.262% decrease in incidence rate. The average patient age decreased from 62 years in 2019 to 58.6 years in 2022. Among the 2022 cases, 35% tested positive for COVID-19, and vaccination statuses varied, with 27.5% having received four vaccine doses. Conclusion: The study indicates a significant rise in herpes zoster cases post-COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination era, despite a decrease in incidence rates. This surge may be linked to direct and indirect effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccine-induced immune responses, and pandemic-related stress. Further investigation is warranted to delve into underlying mechanisms and potential causal relationships in greater depth.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessVaricella-Zoster Virus (VZV) reactivationCausing herpes zoster infectionsStress associated with the pandemicVaccination effortsArticle7101