Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a virus of the alphaherpesvirus family that is one of the common causes of infectious encephalitis worldwide, especially among those who are immunocompromised. In this case report, we discuss a case of a 55-year-old female with end-stage renal disease presenting with altered mental status and weakness. She was recently diagnosed with herpes zoster on oral acyclovir and multiple scattered dermatomal rashes on presentation. Cerebral spinal fluid analysis showed neutrophilic pleocytosis, high glucose and protein, and anti-VZV Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. She was started on treatment early with acyclovir and demonstrated good clinical improvement afterward two weeks. This case highlights to importance of performing lumbar puncture and looking for anti-VZV antibodies to rule out encephalitis in patients with altered mental status and starting acyclovir treatment early.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.7759/cureus.65226 | DOI Listing |
Epidemics
December 2024
Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Background: The prevention and control of infectious disease outbreaks in carceral settings face unique challenges. Transmission modeling is a powerful tool for understanding and addressing these challenges, but reviews of modeling work in this context pre-date the proliferation of outbreaks in jails and prisons during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We conducted a systematic review of studies using transmission models of respiratory infections in carceral settings before and during the pandemic.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPak J Med Sci
December 2024
Dr. Asif Bashir, MD; FAANC; FACS, Punjab Institute of Neurosciences, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
Objective: To assess the clinical presentation, causative agents, and treatment outcomes in patients diagnosed with Elsberg syndrome (ES).
Methods: A thorough literature search was conducted on the mentioned topic using PRISMA guidelines via PubMed, Google Scholar, and SCOPUS. Articles published between 2000 and 2023 were included using advanced search and Boolean strategy.
Clin Exp Hepatol
September 2024
Pediatric Infectious Diseases Department, Regional Hospital of Infectious Diseases in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
Aim Of The Study: This research aimed to investigate the incidence and course of varicella-zoster virus hepatitis in immunocompetent children.
Material And Methods: Medical charts of children hospitalised between 2019 and 2022 (excluding the period of the COVID-19 pandemic) due to varicella were retrospectively analysed and compared.
Results: In total, 216 children were included in the analysis.
Praxis (Bern 1994)
December 2024
Medicine University Affairs, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland,
In Switzerland, additional vaccinations against influenza, COVID-19, Streptococcus pneumoniae and varicella zoster virus (VZV), are recommended for patients with chronic lung diseases such as COPD, asthma or interstitial lung disease, since infectious diseases often lead to exacerbation of lung diseases resulting in increased disease burden and mortality. In this review we give an overview on recommended vaccinations for patients with chronic lung diseases, also including vaccinations against pertussis and RSV, which are recommended in international guidelines. While continuous development of vaccines against S.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRev Med Liege
December 2024
Service de Dermatologie et Vénéréologie, CHU Liège, Belgique.
Shingles, also termed herpes zoster (HZ), is due to the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV) in a dorsal root nerve ganglion with an intra-axonal passage of the virus to a predetermined dermatome. The risk of HZ increases with age, as well as the morbidity risks. The most feared complication is post-herpetic neuralgia, defined as persisting pain sensations three months after the resolution of the skin lesions.
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