Varicella pneumonia in a healthy adult presenting with severe respiratory failure.
We describe a case of varicella pneumonia in a 24-year-old healthy man presenting with severe respiratory failure. A chest radiograph showed diffuse, bilateral airspace consolidation; additional complications included liver dysfunction and thrombocytopenia. However, treatment with intravenous acyclovir and gamma-globulin improved his clinical symptoms and signs. A greater than four-fold change in paired titers of the varicella-zoster virus antibody was observed. Bronchoalveolar lavage performed during the recovery phase revealed increased total cell and lymphocyte counts and a decreased CD4:CD8 ratio of T lymphocytes. Transbronchial lung biopsy findings were compatible with a diagnosis of interstitial pneumonia.
Shirai
T
T
Department of Internal Medicine, Fujinomiya City General Hospital.
Sano
K
K
Matsuyama
S
S
Honjo
Y
Y
Takashima
M
M
Sasada
Y
Y
Takayanagi
S
S
Nagamatsu
K
K
Nawano
M
M
Fushimi
M
M
Imokawa
S
S
Sato
A
A
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011024:Pneumonia, Viral / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D000212:Acyclovir