A Fatal Case of Atypical Disseminated Herpes Zoster in a Patient with Meningoencephalitis and Seizures Associated with Steroid Immunosuppression.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Herpes zoster is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV) and usually presents with vesicular skin lesions with a dermatomal distribution. Disseminated herpes zoster (DHZ) infection is characterized by non-dermatomal skin eruptions, often with involvement of other organs, and occurs in immunocompromised patients. CASE REPORT A 69-year-old man who was treated with prednisolone for amiodarone-associated interstitial lung disease, presented with seizures and altered consciousness. He had an erythematous rash with raised vesicles involving the skin of the genital region, left thigh, and abdomen. Following a diagnosis of DHZ with herpes zoster meningoencephalitis, he was treated with intravenous acyclovir. However, his level of consciousness did not improve, and he died of respiratory failure due to aspiration pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS A diagnosis of DHZ should be considered in immunosuppressed patients treated with steroids who present with seizures. A detailed search for skin eruptions should be conducted to enable early diagnosis and treatment.

• Authors: Shushi Fujisato, Takashi Urushibara, Hajime Kasai, Daisuke Ishi, Kazuhiro Inafuku, Yoshikatsu Fujinuma, Toshihide Shinozaki
• Journal: The American journal of case reports (Am J Case Rep) Vol. 19 Pg. 1162-1167 (Oct 01 2018) ISSN: 1941-5923 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 30270342 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Glucocorticoids
• Prednisolone

Topics

• Aged
• Antiviral Agents (administration & dosage)
• Fatal Outcome
• Glucocorticoids (adverse effects, immunology, therapeutic use)
• Herpes Zoster (drug therapy, etiology, immunology)
• Humans
• Immunocompromised Host (drug effects, immunology)
• Lung Diseases, Interstitial (chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Male
• Meningoencephalitis (drug therapy, etiology)
• Prednisolone (adverse effects, immunology, therapeutic use)
• Seizures (drug therapy, etiology)