title: Herpes zoster myelitis occurring during treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: A woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presented with a zoster eruption. Transverse myelitis developed at the site of the dermatomal distribution of the rash. SLE and varicella zoster virus (VZV) can both cause myelitis, and are difficult to differentiate. The topographic association between the cutaneous and the neurological involvement suggesting VZV myelitis was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for VZV in the cerebrospinal fluid. This case illustrates the potential role of the selective amplification of VZV DNA in cerebrospinal fluid to diagnose central neurological complications associated with VZV. The value of magnetic resonance imaging of the spinal cord in the evaluation of patients with myelitis is emphasized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Allergology, and Rheumatology, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Ebo
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: DeClerck
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ieven
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ursi
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Van Goethem
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Couttenye
mesh_terms: D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009187:Myelitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents