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Case Reports
. 2016;55(21):3143-3145.
doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.55.7136. Epub 2016 Nov 1.

Varicella Reinfection with Unilateral Varicella Pneumonia

Ryo Ariyasu  1 , Kazuhiko Nakagawa, Naoya Ikegami, Chisato Konishi, Satoshi Nakao, Tomoko Funazo, Masato Taki, Kyohei Morita, Moon Hee Hwang, Chie Yoshimura, Toshiaki Wakayama, Yasuo Nishizaka
Affiliations
Case Reports

Varicella Reinfection with Unilateral Varicella Pneumonia

Ryo Ariyasu et al. Intern Med. 2016.

Abstract

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection does not always provide lifelong immunity. A reinfection with VZV occurs more commonly than previously thought. Varicella infection spreads through the blood-stream, causing pneumonia. Varicella pneumonia results in bilateral pulmonary nodular infiltrations. We herein report a case of varicella reinfection with unilateral varicella pneumonia in which a reduced pulmonary blood flow due to radiation damage was considered to be the cause of unilateral pneumonia. In patients with an asymmetric pulmonary blood flow, careful interpretation of unilateral infiltration is therefore considered to be important with making a differential diagnosis.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
A) Many erythematous macules and papules measuring from 2-3mm in diameter were observed over the patient’s entire body. B) One vesicle was also observed on the knee.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
A high-resolution CT scan obtained on presentation showing diffuse small nodules with surrounding ground-grass attenuation only in the right lung field and infiltrative shadow of radiation pneumonitis in the left upper lobe.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
perfusion scintigraphy showing a decreased perfusion rate in the left lung (left 37.7% versus right 62.3%).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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