Diplopia as isolated presentation of varicella zoster central nervous system reactivation

Abstract

Here, we report a patient who developed diplopia secondary to a right cranial nerve III and IV palsy, as well as fever and headache. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis (CSF) showed high varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-DNA viral load (>300,000,000 copies/ml). VZV antibodies in CSF was ≥1:16. Diagnosis of neurological reactivation of VZV infection was made without the presence of characteristic vesicular rash. Quantitative real-time PCR for VZV and intrathecal dosage of VZV IgM and IgG should be performed in cases suspected for viral encephalitis and also in all patients with not otherwise attributable cranial nerve lesions.

Keywords: Diplopia; Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation.