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Disseminated Varicella Zoster Virus in an Immunized Child as the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome‐defining Illness
Author(s) -
Chilek Katherine,
Routhouska Shan,
Tamburro Joan
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
pediatric dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.542
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1525-1470
pISSN - 0736-8046
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1470.2009.00942.x
Subject(s) - medicine , immunosuppression , varicella zoster virus , immunization , varicella vaccine , immunology , virology , chickenpox , virus , viral disease , immunodeficiency , disease , pediatrics , antibody , immune system
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) immunization aids in the prevention of future VZV infections in immunocompetent patients; however, severely immunocompromised patients remain at increased risk of VZV infection. We report a case of a 10‐year‐old boy previously immunized to Varicella who presented with herpes zoster with hematogenous dissemination as the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome‐defining illness. Disseminated VZV is more commonly seen in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected individuals with more advanced disease, as was the case with our patient. Disseminated VZV infection in a previously immunized child should raise suspicion for underlying immunosuppression.