title: Recurrent varicella-zoster virus retinitis in a patient treated with systemic corticosteroids.
abstract: A case of recurrent unilateral varicella-zoster virus (VZV) retinitis is reported. The retinitis was characterized by arteriolitis and retinal necrosis with secondary chorioretinal atrophy localized in the periphery of the supratemporal quadrant of the retina. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of aqueous humor demonstrated VZV DNA in both the initial and recurrent episode. The Goldmann-Witmer coefficient for VZV IgG was elevated. The initial VZV retinitis was successfully treated with acyclovir and corticosteroids. Three years later, high-dose corticosteroids alone were used to treat idiopathic facial nerve palsy. One month after concluding corticosteroids therapy, the VZV retinitis recurred in the same eye, suggesting that administration of the high-dose corticosteroids caused VZV reactivation and induced recurrence of VZV retinitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Akita University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Satoh
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nakajima
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sakuragi
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006563:Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D015882:Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D012173:Retinitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D014775:Virus Activation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone; D000212:Acyclovir