A possible viral interference between SARS-CoV-2 and varicella zoster virus

It is not uncommon to observe herpes zoster in severe illnesses. However, its rarity in millions of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients around the world is intriguing. Further, its frequent occurrence following the serological clearance of SARS-CoV-2 infection indicates an unknown mechanism at work. The purpose of this study was to investigate this phenomenon and identify a possible underlying mechanism. The authors believe, there is a powerful viral interference created by SARS-CoV-2 virus during its active phase. This was evident by the paucity of reports of herpes zoster infection as long as COVID-19 disease was active. Therefore, COVID-19 infection does not permit the development of herpes zoster until the infection is serologically negative – due to its powerful suppression of varicella-zoster virus. They speculate that the same active principle of viral interference can be applied by developing a superinfection therapy by introducing a non-pathogenic virus to infect patients harboring a pathogenic virus, to combat serious infections such as COVID-19.