A Case of Transverse Myelitis Caused by Varicella Zoster Virus in an Immunocompetent Older Patient

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a human neurotropic alphaherpesvirus that causes chickenpox (varicella) in children. VZV reactivation may lead to neurological complications, including transverse myelitis. However, transverse myelitis caused by VZV reactivation is rare in immunocompetent patients. He...

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Published inInfection & chemotherapy Vol. 48; no. 4; pp. 334 - 337
Main Authors Lee, Jeong Eun, Lee, Shinwon, Kim, Kye-Hyung, Jang, Hee Ryeong, Park, Young Joo, Kang, Jin Suk, Han, Sung Yong, Lee, Sun Hee
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Korea (South) The Korean Society of Infectious Diseases and Korean Society for Chemotherapy 01.12.2016
대한감염학회
Subjects
Case Report
내과학
Varicella zoster virus
Older patients
Antiviral treatment
Immunocompetent
Transverse myelitis
Online AccessGet full text
ISSN2093-2340
2092-6448
DOI10.3947/ic.2016.48.4.334

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Abstract Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a human neurotropic alphaherpesvirus that causes chickenpox (varicella) in children. VZV reactivation may lead to neurological complications, including transverse myelitis. However, transverse myelitis caused by VZV reactivation is rare in immunocompetent patients. Herein, we report a case of transverse myelitis caused by VZV in an immunocompetent older patient, and confirmed this case by polymerase chain reaction. A 79-year-old woman visited our service with complaints of weakness in the right lower leg, generalized vesicular eruptions, and throbbing pain in the right flank for ten days. Spine MRI showed transverse myelitis in the thoracic spine at level T4-T11. The patient was treated with acyclovir and her neurological functions improved, except for sensory impairment below level T10. For older patients, early and aggressive antiviral treatment against VZV may be necessary even though these patients are immunocompetent.
AbstractList Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a human neurotropic alphaherpesvirus that causes chickenpox (varicella) in children. VZV reactivation may lead to neurological complications, including transverse myelitis. However, transverse myelitis caused by VZV reactivation is rare in immunocompetent patients. Herein, we report a case of transverse myelitis caused by VZV in an immunocompetent older patient, and confirmed this case by polymerase chain reaction. A 79-year-old woman visited our service with complaints of weakness in the right lower leg, generalized vesicular eruptions, and throbbing pain in the right flank for ten days. Spine MRI showed transverse myelitis in the thoracic spine at level T4–T11. The patient was treated with acyclovir and her neurological functions improved, except for sensory impairment below level T10. For older patients, early and aggressive antiviral treatment against VZV may be necessary even though these patients are immunocompetent. KCI Citation Count: 2
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a human neurotropic alphaherpesvirus that causes chickenpox (varicella) in children. VZV reactivation may lead to neurological complications, including transverse myelitis. However, transverse myelitis caused by VZV reactivation is rare in immunocompetent patients. Herein, we report a case of transverse myelitis caused by VZV in an immunocompetent older patient, and confirmed this case by polymerase chain reaction. A 79-year-old woman visited our service with complaints of weakness in the right lower leg, generalized vesicular eruptions, and throbbing pain in the right flank for ten days. Spine MRI showed transverse myelitis in the thoracic spine at level T4-T11. The patient was treated with acyclovir and her neurological functions improved, except for sensory impairment below level T10. For older patients, early and aggressive antiviral treatment against VZV may be necessary even though these patients are immunocompetent.
Author Kang, Jin Suk
Park, Young Joo
Lee, Jeong Eun
Han, Sung Yong
Kim, Kye-Hyung
Lee, Sun Hee
Jang, Hee Ryeong
Lee, Shinwon
AuthorAffiliation Deparment of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea
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Keywords Varicella zoster virus
Older patients
Antiviral treatment
Immunocompetent
Transverse myelitis
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Title A Case of Transverse Myelitis Caused by Varicella Zoster Virus in an Immunocompetent Older Patient
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