MyMedR

Herpes zoster of gingiva in an older woman: a rare case report

Chopra A, Sivaraman K, Thomas BS

Gerodontology, 2017 Jun;34(2):280-283.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the article is to highlight the distinguishing features of secondary varicella gingival infection in an older women.

BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster is an acute sporadic, painful viral infection in older people caused by the reactivation of the latent varicella zoster virus. Herpes zoster affecting the gingiva without any dermal lesions is a rare pathological condition that mimics many intraoral vesiculobullous lesions. The ambiguous nature of this condition creates a diagnostic dilemma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 58-year-old woman presented with an acute, unilateral and persistent burning sensation and pain in the gingiva with desqaumating vesicullobulous lesion.

RESULTS: The women was diagnosed with secondary varicella zoster infection.

CONCLUSION: Herpes zoster of the gingiva could manifest as painful desquamative vesicular lesions, pulpal or other painful neuralgic condition in older individuals which need careful diagnosis before formulating appropiate treatment plan.

Matched MeSH terms: Herpesvirus 3, Human

Congenital varicella syndrome

Lee, Eric K.H., Cheah, Irene G.S.

Malaysian Journal of Child Health, 1997;9(1):97-101.

MyJurnal

Congenital varicella syndrome is a rare outcome of early primary maternal varicella zoster infection. The neuromuscular anomalies, skeletal defects and skin lesions of such a case are described in our case report. The diagnosis of congenital varicella syndrome, the prenatal risk and management of primary maternal varicella infection in pregnancy are also discussed.

Matched MeSH terms: Herpesvirus 3, Human

Fulltext Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus, Central Retinal Artery Occlusion, and Neovascular Glaucoma in an Immunocompetent Individual

Ahmad SS, Suan ALL, Alexander SM

J Ophthalmic Vis Res, 2019 3 2;14(1):97-100.

PMID: 30820294 DOI: 10.4103/jovr.jovr_65_17

Purpose: To report the unusual case of an immunocompetent individual with herpes zoster ophthalmicus who developed central retinal artery occlusion and subsequent neovascular glaucoma.

Case Report: A 40-year-old, immunocompetent patient was diagnosed with herpes zoster ophthalmicus and central retinal artery occlusion on initial presentation. Subsequently, he developed neovascular glaucoma.

Conclusion: There are a few case reports of central retinal artery occlusion developing after varicella zoster virus infection. However, a literature search found no reports of neovascular glaucoma following central retinal artery occlusion secondary to varicella zoster virus infection. The present case report indicates that neovascular glaucoma is a possible complication in such a scenario.

Matched MeSH terms: Herpesvirus 3, Human

Fulltext Herpes zoster keratouveitis with hypopyon and hyphema

Katherine SBH, Ngim YS, Juliana J, Ramli N

Taiwan J Ophthalmol, 2020 03 04;10(1):54-57.

PMID: 32309125 DOI: 10.4103/tjo.tjo_20_18

This study aims to report two cases with an uncommon, early manifestation of herpes zoster ophthalmicus which is keratouveitis. The first patient is a 61-year-old female who had presented with painful facial skin eruption and right eye redness without impairment of vision. She was treated initially as herpes zoster blepharoconjunctivitis; however, the disease had progressed to neurotrophic keratitis with severe anterior chamber reaction manifested by a mixture of hypopyon and hyphema. The second patient is a 74-year-old female who had presented after 2 weeks of facial skin eruption with blurring of vision and similar keratouveitic manifestations. Both patients had poor visual outcome due to severe ocular inflammation.

Matched MeSH terms: Herpesvirus 3, Human

Vision loss in an immunocompetent child post varicella infection: A case report

Lee SC, Ng M, Tan CL, Ting SL

Malays Fam Physician, 2020;15(1):54-57.

PMID: 32284807

Chickenpox may lead to several neurological complications. Optic neuritis is one of the complications which has rarely been described, especially in immunocompetent individuals. We report a case of an 11-year-old immunocompetent girl who presented with sudden onset bilateral vision loss three weeks after varicella eruption. Ophthalmic examination revealed bilateral optic disc edema. Diagnosis of bilateral optic neuritis secondary to varicella was established based upon the preceding medical history, supported with clinical and radiological findings.

Matched MeSH terms: Herpesvirus 3, Human

Fulltext Chickenpox in pregnancy: still a feared complication

Zainur Rashid, Z., Sharifah Sulaiha, S.A., Darnina, A.J.

International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2007;6(2):1-11.

MyJurnal

Varicella or chickenpox is an infectious disease caused by Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), which commonly affects the children. It is a mild, self-limiting disease and rarely complicate to serious conditions except in adults. Decreasing incidence of chickenpox among children, probably owing to improved living conditions ,prevention and health care, is worrisome as growing number of adults are being infected. This creates disturbing concerns in many parties as women at childbearing age might get infected and not only are them at a great risk of serious complications, but also their unborn fetus or their newborn babies.

Matched MeSH terms: Herpesvirus 3, Human

Fulltext Seroprevalence of varicella-zoster virus in five US-bound refugee populations

Leung J, Lopez A, Mitchell T, Weinberg M, Lee D, Thieme M, et al.

J Immigr Minor Health, 2015 Feb;17(1):310-3.

PMID: 24271111 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-013-9946-x

Little is known about varicella-zoster virus (VZV) susceptibility in US-bound refugee populations, although published data suggest that VZV seroprevalence in these refugee populations may be lower than US populations. We describe VZV seroprevalence in five US-bound refugee groups: (1) Bhutanese in Nepal, (2) Burmese on the Thailand-Burma (Myanmar) border, (3) Burmese in Malaysia, (4) Iraqi in Jordan, and (5) Somali in Kenya. Sera were tested for presence of VZV IgG antibodies among adults aged 18-45 years. Overall VZV seroprevalence was 97% across all refugee groups. VZV seroprevalence was also high across all age groups, with seroprevalence ranging from 92-100% for 18-26 year-olds depending on refugee group and 93-100% for 27-45 year-olds. VZV seroprevalence was unexpectedly high in these five US-bound refugee groups, though may not reflect seroprevalence in other refugee groups. Additional studies are needed to better understand VZV seroprevalence in refugee populations over time and by region.

Matched MeSH terms: Herpesvirus 3, Human/isolation & purification*

Fulltext Varicella-zoster virus seroprevalence in healthcare workers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Sam IC, Tariman H, Chan YF, Bador MK, Yusof MY, Hassan H

Med J Malaysia, 2008 Dec;63(5):429-30.

PMID: 19803311 MyJurnal

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infections are a particular problem in healthcare settings. A survey of chickenpox was carried out amongst healthcare workers (HCWs) following potential ward exposures. A prior history of chickenpox was given by 61/98 (62.2%). Of 64 HCWs tested for VZV IgG, 10 (15.6%) were seronegative, indicating susceptibility. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of a history of prior chickenpox were 57.4%, 90%, 96.4%, and 31.0%, respectively. VZV screening of HCWs without a history of chickenpox, and vaccination of susceptible HCWs should be undertaken in this hospital.

Matched MeSH terms: Herpesvirus 3, Human/immunology*

Fulltext Lethal complication of a common disease-varicella pneumonitis

Neesha Sundramoorthy, Khaiteri R., Low J. M.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(106):68-68.

MyJurnal

Introduction: Varicella pneumonitis is a rare but lethal complication of varicella zoster infection. Case description:We report a case of a 42 year old gentleman who presented with fever, rash, cough and worsening shortness of breath after exposure to his daughter who just recovered from varicella zoster infection. He is an active smoker with no comorbidities. He presented on day 4 of illness with generalised vesicular eruption and respiratory examination revealed reduced vesicular breath sounds bilaterally. He was intubated in view of worsening respiratory distress and was transferred to ICU. Chest X-ray and ABG was suggestive of acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS). He was treated with IV Acyclovir and broad spectrum antibiotics in view of subsequent hospital acquired infection. He was discharged well after 3 weeks of hospitalisation. Discussion: Varicella zoster infection is caused by Human alpha-herpesvirus 3, one of eight herpes viruses known to infect humans. Diagnosis of varicella pneumonitis with ARDS was made on the basis of rash, respiratory symptoms and contact with a child who just recovered from varicella zoster infection and rapid worsening of radiological changes. The risk factor of developing severe pneumonitis can be attributed to active smoking. Conclusion: High degree of suspicion and timely diagnosis is crucial for a favourable outcome in a patient with this rare complication.

Matched MeSH terms: Herpesvirus 3, Human

Fulltext Herpes Zoster Following COVID-19 Vaccine Booster

Shahrudin MS, Mohamed-Yassin MS, Nik Mohd Nasir NM

Am J Case Rep, 2023 Jan 18;24:e938667.

PMID: 36650730 DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.938667

BACKGROUND Herpes zoster is a condition in which there is reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV), which is usually seen in the elderly and those with immunocompromised states. Recently, however, there have been many reports of herpes zoster after administration of COVID-19 vaccines, although initial trials showed that these vaccines have good safety and immunogenicity profiles. At the time of writing, about 5 billion people worldwide had received their full course of COVID-19 vaccination. This case report describes an elderly man who developed herpes zoster after receiving a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) vaccine, with no adverse effects after the first and second dose. CASE REPORT An 82-year-old man with underlying type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cerebrovascular disease presented with left-sided chest and upper back pain. The pain was intermittent, burning in nature, and disturbed his sleep. A week prior to his presentation, he received a COVID-19 vaccine (BNT162b2) booster dose. Examination revealed multiple vesicles along his anterior and posterior T3 dermatome. He was diagnosed with herpes zoster and treated with a course of oral acyclovir. Upon review 7 days later, he had recovered well, with resolution of his vesicles and pain. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 vaccination remains an important measure to prevent transmission of infection and to reduce the mortality and morbidity caused by it. However, healthcare practitioners should be aware of the possible association between COVID-19 vaccination and herpes zoster. Appropriate explanation and safety advice on the possible adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination, including herpes zoster infection, should be given to patients. This will facilitate early recognition and treatment of this condition.

Matched MeSH terms: Herpesvirus 3, Human

Adult varicella zoster infection complicated with streptococcal retrosternal abscess

Yap FBB, Kiung ST

South. Med. J., 2009 Jun;102(6):653-5.

PMID: 19434036 DOI: 10.1097/SMJ.0b013e3181a49a71

A 43-year-old lady with type 2 diabetes mellitus and bronchial asthma presented with varicella zoster infection, dyspnea, and neck fullness. An urgent computed tomography scan revealed a mediastinal abscess with superior vena cava thrombus. Blood, mediastinal pus, and swab from a vesiculopustule on the neck cultured group A beta hemolytic Streptococcus. She recovered with a combination of broad spectrum antimicrobials, antivirals, and surgical drainage. This case illustrates the rare occurrence of mediastinal abscess and acute superior vena cava obstruction caused by group A beta hemolytic Streptococcus complicating adult varicella zoster.

Matched MeSH terms: Herpesvirus 3, Human

Fulltext Varicella in children with haematological malignancy--outcome of treatment and prevention

Ho CM, Khuzaiah R, Yasmin AM

Med J Malaysia, 1994 Mar;49(1):29-35.

PMID: 8057987

Primary varicella-zoster virus infection in children with haematological malignancy is a life threatening disease. In one year, there were 10 cases of varicella and 2 cases of zoster among these children as well as 5 mothers who were accompanying their children who developed varicella in the oncology ward. Two children died of fulminating disease despite aggressive antiviral and supportive treatment. Acyclovir can be used in treatment and prophylaxis in exposed susceptible children. Varicella -zoster immune globulin is not available in this country. Vaccination with live virus has been shown to be protective in immunocompromised children and needs consideration.

Matched MeSH terms: Herpesvirus 3, Human

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