RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Post varicella zoster virus myelitis in immunocompetent patients
JF Neurosciences Journal
JO Neurosciences (Riyadh)
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 156
OP 158
VO 16
IS 2
A1 Ben-Amor, Sana
A1 Lammouchi, Turkia
A1 Benslamia, Lamia
A1 Benammou, Soufiene
YR 2011
UL http://nsj.org.sa/content/16/2/156.abstract
AB We report 2 immunocompetent patients with myelitis. The first was a 55-year old man who developed myelitis after intercostal herpes zoster. The second was a 19-year-old boy who presented with myelopathy after varicella infection. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) myelitis was diagnosed based on the close temporal relationship between rash and onset of clinical symptoms, and by the elevated rate of anti-VZV IgG in the CSF without oligoclonal bands in the first case, and presence of VZV DNA in the second. The course was favorable after a 3-day course of corticosteroids and 3 weeks of acyclovir. Varicella-zoster virus myelitis is uncommon; it affects essentially immunodepressed patients. We highlight the importance of considering the possibility of VZV myelitis, even in immunocompetent patients. The combination of corticoids and acyclovir must be instituted, quickly, to improve functional outcome.