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Case Reports
. 2021 Aug 30;14(8):e238078.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2020-238078.

Transverse myelitis caused by varicella-zoster

Anjely Pulparampil Sebastian  1 , Arini Basu  2 , Nandini Mitta  3 , Dominic Benjamin  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Transverse myelitis caused by varicella-zoster

Anjely Pulparampil Sebastian et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

Transverse myelitis is a rare neurological complication seen with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection, which is common among immunocompromised hosts. It can occur during the primary VZV infection or reactivation of latent infection. It is a complication that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. The present case is that of a 28-year-old immunocompetent man, who presented with fever, rash and acute-onset spastic paraparesis with bladder involvement. Causes such as herpes simplex 1 and 2, cytomegalovirus, enterovirus and Epstein-Barr virus infection were ruled out. On evaluation, he was diagnosed with acute primary disseminated VZV infection with parainfectious transverse myelitis, based on positive cerebrospinal fluid multiplex PCR (PCR) and serum VZV IgM antibodies. He was treated with intravenous acyclovir and steroids, with which he improved significantly.

Keywords: meningitis; spinal cord.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Photograph showing the disseminated varicella-zoster infection rash at review in out patient department (OPD).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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