Reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus is one infectious complication associated with the extensive immunosuppression necessary for hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Most cases are limited to skin and mortality is low. Isolated visceral zoster is rare, presenting with ileus/abdominal pain, hepatitis, and/or hyponatremia. We present 2 cases of visceral varicella zoster virus in adolescents with chronic graft-versus-host disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Both presented with elevated liver enzymes, severe abdominal pain, and hyponatremia but lacked cutaneous involvement. Both received high-dose acyclovir and showed improvement, but eventually expired from hepatic failure. The diagnosis of visceral zoster can be difficult especially without cutaneous manifestations. Vigilance is necessary in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease, abdominal pain, and/or hepatitis and antiviral therapy should be initiated promptly.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MPH.0b013e31817e4b14DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

varicella zoster
12
zoster virus
12
hematopoietic stem
12
stem cell
12
cell transplant
12
chronic graft-versus-host
12
graft-versus-host disease
12
visceral varicella
8
patients chronic
8
visceral zoster
8

Similar Publications

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a known cause of meningoencephalitis, typically in immunocompromised inpatients. We report a case of meningitis caused by VZV in an immunocompetent man in his 20s. Diagnosis was delayed due to the atypical presentation of painless occipital zoster mimicking atopic dermatitis, and the presence of hypoglycorrhachia in his cerebrospinal fluid.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A 59-year-old man visited our hospital for examination of left-sided abdominal bulging. About a week earlier, he had developed an abdominal skin rash and was diagnosed with herpes zoster. Computed tomography excluded intra-abdominal organic disease and true hernia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The determinants of varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-associated central nervous system (CNS) infection have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors, including immunosuppression, for different manifestations of VZV-associated CNS infection. Patient registers were used to include adults diagnosed with VZV-associated CNS infections between 2010 and 2019 in Sweden.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Exploring Bidirectional Causal Relationships between Antibody-Mediated Immune Responses to Infectious Agents and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus through Mendelian Randomization and Meta-Analyses.

Microb Pathog

January 2025

Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, China. Electronic address:

Background: Previous investigations into the causal relationship between infections and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have yielded controversial results. This study delves into the bidirectional causal relationships between various infectious agents and SLE, employing two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) from an immunological perspective.

Methods: Utilizing genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for 46 antibody-mediated immune responses (AMIRs) to 13 pathogens and three distinct SLE datasets, we employed Bayesian Weighted MR (BWMR) and inverse variance weighted (IVW) methods to ascertain causal links, supplemented by meta-analysis to resolve inconsistencies.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Herpesvirus Infections After Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy and Bispecific Antibodies: A Review.

Viruses

January 2025

Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control, and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

In this narrative review, we explore the burden and risk factors of various herpesvirus infections in patients receiving chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy or bispecific antibodies (BsAb) for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Antiviral prophylaxis for herpes simplex/varicella zoster viruses became part of the standard of care in this patient population. Breakthrough infections may rarely occur, and the optimal duration of prophylaxis as well as the timing of recombinant zoster immunization remain to be explored.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!