A 45- year- old man has pus- filled vesicles distributed over his back in the upper right quadrant, over his right shoulder, and upper right quadrant of his chest. His symptoms are most likely due to

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The distribution of vesicles over the back and upper right quadrant of chest and shoulder is characteristic of herpes zoster infection (shingles), which is caused by reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus. Streptococcus pyogenes can cause skin infections such as impetigo, but would typically present differently. Herpes simplex virus typically causes grouped vesicles on the lips or genitals. Staphylococcus aureus can cause skin infections such as boils, but would typically present differently. Candida albicans typically causes fungal infections of the skin or mucous membranes, but would not typically cause a vesicular rash.

A 45- Year- Old Man Has Pus- Filled Vesicles Distributed