Recombinant Zoster Vaccine in Stable SLE Patients

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease that requires long-term corticosteroid and/or immunosuppressive agents. Thus lupus patients are immunocompromised patients, and the incidence of herpes zoster is higher than general population (asian population 32.5-91.4/1000 person-years vs general population 2.58-4.89/1000 person-years). Patients with active SLE are more susceptible because they require stronger immunosuppressive therapy. However, even mild or even stable lupus patients are highly susceptible, and they account for about two-thirds of the events. In addition, herpes zoster may trigger lupus flare. A case-control study showed a close correlation between herpes zoster reactivation and the diagnosis of lupus, and our previous studies indicated that recent VZV infection was associated with increased risk of disease flares. The risk of virus reactivation limited the use of live-attenuated shingles vaccine in SLE patients, especially in whom with high dose of prednisone or immunosuppressants. Whether the introduction of recombinant herpes zoster could reduce the risk of zoster reactivation in lupus patients is to be explored in this study.