Varicella Zoster is a relatively common disorder in immunocompromised patients characterized by radicular pain and grouped vesicular eruptions. The typical findings in reported cases of VZV meningitis involve skin manifestations and classical signs of meningitis such as neck stiffness.
ICD-10 code B01 for Varicella [chickenpox] is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Certain infectious and parasitic diseases .
We present a case of a patient with varicella zoster virus (VZV) encephalitis caused by a combination of the patient having active virus reactivation in the form of shingles on the right leg, in addition to being immunocompromised due to a kidney transplant.
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation is one of the most common neurological infectious diseases and VZV the second most frequent virus causing encephalitis or meningitis [1,2,3].
096206: Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) Antibodies, IgG | Labcorp.
B01: Varicella [chickenpox]
In VZV encephalitis, lesions in the temporal lobe and limbic system, which are often observed in patients with herpes simplex encephalitis, are rare.
Transmission. Varicella is highly contagious. The virus can be spread from person to person by direct contact, inhalation of aerosols from vesicular fluid of skin lesions of acute varicella or zoster, and possibly through infected respiratory secretions that also may be aerosolized.
Meningoencephalitis can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoan or as secondary sequel of other inflammations like AIDS. The viral or aseptic meningoencephalitis is mainly caused by enteroviruses, varicella‐zoster viruses, herpes simplex viruses, or measles viruses.
The most common causes of bacterial meningoencephalitis include: Streptococcus pneumoniae: A bacteria commonly found in the nose and throat. Haemophilus influenzae (HIB): A type of bacteria that commonly causes respiratory infections, and which is preventable by vaccine.
These problems can be long-lasting or permanent. In rare cases, shingles can spread into the brain or spinal cord and cause serious complications such as stroke or meningitis (an infection of the membranes outside the brain and spinal cord).
In rare cases, shingles can spread into the brain or spinal cord and cause serious complications such as stroke or meningitis (an infection of the membranes outside the brain and spinal cord).
Sometimes the signs and symptoms are more severe, and might include:Confusion, agitation or hallucinations.Seizures.Loss of sensation or being unable to move certain areas of the face or body.Muscle weakness.Problems with speech or hearing.Loss of consciousness (including coma)
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a painful rash around the ear, on the face, or on the mouth. It occurs when the varicella-zoster virus infects a nerve in the head.
coughs or sneezes from an infected person that release airborne viruses, which are then inhaled by others. infected insects (such as mosquitoes or ticks) and animals, which can transfer some viruses directly into the bloodstream via their bite.