Open AccessSevere varicella infection occurring after herpes zoster reactivation in a patient with AIDS
Author(s) -
Ong C,
Brenda Ang,
Cheng Chuan Lee
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr.09.2008.0952
Subject(s) - medicine , chickenpox , pneumonitis , shingles , varicella zoster virus , pediatrics , virology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , immunology , dermatology , virus , lung
Herpes zoster reactivation occurs in patients who had primary varicella infection, afflicting mainly the elderly and the immunocompromised. However, it is rare that varicella infection develop after zoster reactivation. We report on a patient with underlying HIV/AIDS who had two previous episodes of herpes zoster and still developed varicella infection, complicated by pneumonitis and polyradiculitis. We also review the relevant literature.