Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41058125›Full record

ReviewEuropean journal of haematology2026

Herpes Zoster in Hematological Disorders: Pathogenesis, Risk Stratification, and Emerging Strategies for Prevention and Immunization.

Enrica Antonia Martino, Ernesto Vigna, Antonella Bruzzese, Nicola Amodio, Eugenio Lucia, Virginia Olivito, Caterina Labanca, Santino Caserta, Francesco Mendicino, Fortunato Morabito and 1 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in European journal of haematology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Enrica Antonia MartinoHaematology Unit, Department of Onco-Haematology, AO of Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.
Ernesto VignaHaematology Unit, Department of Onco-Haematology, AO of Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.
Antonella BruzzeseHaematology Unit, Department of Onco-Haematology, AO of Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9456-2404
Nicola AmodioDepartment of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
Eugenio LuciaHaematology Unit, Department of Onco-Haematology, AO of Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.
Virginia OlivitoHaematology Unit, Department of Onco-Haematology, AO of Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.
Caterina LabancaHaematology Unit, Department of Onco-Haematology, AO of Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.
Santino CasertaHaematology Unit, Department of Onco-Haematology, AO of Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.
Francesco MendicinoHaematology Unit, Department of Onco-Haematology, AO of Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.
Fortunato MorabitoAIL Sezione di Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.
Massimo GentileHaematology Unit, Department of Onco-Haematology, AO of Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5256-0726

Funding

PNRR-MAD-2022-12375673
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHerpes zoster (HZ), resulting from reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus (VZV), imposes a significant burden on immunocompromised patients, particularly those with hematological malignancies and recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT). These populations face markedly increased risks of severe complications, including disseminated disease and postherpetic neuralgia.

objectiveThis review examines the pathogenesis, epidemiology, risk factors, and evolving preventive strategies for HZ in patients with hematological disorders, with an emphasis on antiviral prophylaxis and vaccination.

methodsRelevant data from recent clinical trials, observational studies, and international guidelines were critically reviewed to evaluate the burden of HZ and the effectiveness of prophylactic interventions in immunocompromised populations.

resultsImmunosuppression-whether due to the underlying disease or post-transplant immune reconstitution-compromises VZV-specific cellular immunity, thereby increasing HZ susceptibility. Incidence rates in high-risk groups, such as HSCT recipients or patients treated with proteasome inhibitors, JAK2 inhibitors, or CAR-T therapies, may exceed 30-60 per 1000 person-years. Antiviral prophylaxis remains a fundamental preventive approach. The adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine (aRZV) demonstrates 68%-87% efficacy even in heavily immunosuppressed individuals. Emerging vaccine platforms, including mRNA-based formulations, offer promising improvements in immunogenicity and scalability.

conclusionPatients with hematological conditions are particularly vulnerable to HZ. Effective prevention requires a tailored combination of antiviral prophylaxis and aRZV immunization. The development of mRNA-based vaccines may further enhance preventive strategies for this at-risk population.

Indexed as

Hematologic DiseasesHerpesvirus 3, HumanHerpes ZosterAntiviral AgentsHematopoietic Stem Cell TransplantationHerpes Zoster VaccineHumansImmunizationImmunocompromised HostRisk AssessmentRisk FactorsAntiviral AgentsHerpes Zoster Vaccineantiviral prophylaxishematological malignanciesherpes zosterimmunocompromised hostsmRNA vaccinesrecombinant zoster vaccinestem cell transplantvaricella‐zoster virus

Identifiers

PMID41058125
PMCPMC12673355

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.