OBJECTIVETo explore the changes in cellular immune function and the safety of physical therapy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated by herpes zoster (HZ) virus infection. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted among 10 SLE pateints with HZ virus infection, with 30 SLE patients without HZ infection as the control group. The results of routine laboratory tests and T lymphocyte subset counts (before and during infection and after cure of infection) were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe proportion of patients with significantly increased absolute neutrophil count and white blood cell count before HZ infection, and those with decreased lymphocyte percentage and elevated C-reactive protein during infection differed significantly between the two groups (P<0.05). Before HZ infection, the proportions of patients with increased CD3%, decreased CD16CD56%, abnormal 4/8 ratio (P<0.01) and those with increased CD8% and CD8count and decreased CD16CD56count differed significantly between the two groups (P<0.05). During HZ infection, the proportion of patients with increased CD3% and CD8% and decreased CD4% and 4/8 ratio count (P<0.05) and those with decreased CD16CD56% and increased CD8count differed significantly between the two groups (P<0.01). After cure of HZ infection, the proportion of patients with decreased CD16CD56% was significantly different between the two groups (P<0.01). The treatment time of HZ infection averaged 5∓1.3 days with a cure rate of 100% postherpetic neuralgia occurred in none of the patients after the treatment.

CONCLUSIONPatients with SLE complicated by HZ infection are in an immunosuppressive state, suggesting the need of monitoring T lymphocyte subsets in SLE treatment. The combined use of antiviral drugs and physical therapy can be safe and effective for treatment of SLE complicated by HZ infection.