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Fulminant varicella zoster infection with multiorgan involvement: a case report

Sudheer P S Ahamed1, Abdullah Balkhair, Rajan Krishnan

  • 1Department of Medicine, Armidale Rural Referral Hospital, Armidale, New South, Wales, Australia;

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal
|July 13, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Varicella zoster infections, typically mild in children, can be severe and life-threatening in adults. This case report details a young, immunocompetent female experiencing fulminant varicella with multiorgan involvement.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infections are common, usually mild in children.
  • Severe VZV infections can occur in adults and immunocompromised individuals.
  • Fulminant varicella is rare in immunocompetent young adults.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a rare case of fulminant varicella infection.
  • To highlight the potential for severe VZV disease in immunocompetent young adults.
  • To emphasize the importance of considering VZV in severe systemic illness.

Main Methods:

  • Case report presentation.
  • Clinical case review.
  • Literature review for comparison.

Main Results:

  • A young, immunocompetent female presented with severe, disseminated varicella zoster infection.
  • The patient experienced multiorgan involvement.
  • The clinical course was unexpectedly severe for an immunocompetent individual.

Conclusions:

  • Varicella zoster virus can cause severe, fulminant disease even in immunocompetent young adults.
  • Multiorgan involvement signifies a critical illness.
  • Prompt recognition and management are crucial for severe VZV cases.

Keywords:
Case reportChickenpoxDisseminated intravascular coagulationHerpes virus 3, humanOmanPneumoniaRhabdomyolysis

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