Open AccessNeuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Attack Triggered by Herpes Zoster Infection
Author(s) -
Emanuela Claudia Turco,
Erica Curti,
Valentina Maffini,
Francesco Pisani,
Franco Granella
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
multiple sclerosis international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.125
H-Index - 6
eISSN - 2090-2662
pISSN - 2090-2654
DOI - 10.1155/2020/6151258
Subject(s) - medicine , neuromyelitis optica , spectrum disorder , immunology , spinal cord , disease , central nervous system , viral infection , virology , virus , antibody , pathology , psychiatry
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder is a severe autoimmune disease of the central nervous system characterized by recurrent inflammatory events primarily involving the optic nerves and spinal cord. Recently, a triggering role of infectious events in the development of NMOSD has been suggested. Varicella zoster virus is the most common viral infection involved, though the linkage with anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies is so far unknown. We report, to the best of our knowledge, the first pediatric case report about NMOSD relapse triggered by herpes zoster infection. The strict temporal relationship between VZV infection and NMO attacks seems to be more than simply due to chance; however, further reports are needed to be confirmed.