Relapsing chickenpox in a young man with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Reinfection of previously "immune" patients with varicella-zoster virus can result in recurrent chickenpox. However, relapses of chickenpox are not well recognized. We describe a young man with lymphoma who rapidly developed multiple, discrete relapses of chickenpox each time therapy with acyclovir was stopped. His cutaneous infection eventually became unremitting, despite continuous treatment with acyclovir. No evidence ever suggested visceral dissemination of varicella. The patient died suddenly; the cause of death was not determined.
Baxter
J D
JD
Department of Medicine, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Camden, New Jersey.
DiNubile
M J
MJ
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008466:Mechlorethamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011344:Procarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012008:Recurrence; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014775:Virus Activation
D011344:Procarbazine; D008466:Mechlorethamine; D014750:Vincristine; D005047:Etoposide; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone; D000212:Acyclovir; D008727:Methotrexate