Sight-threatening varicella zoster virus infection after fludarabine treatment.
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection involving the posterior segment of the eye after fludarabine treatment has not previously been described. Two patients, who had completed fludarabine treatment 3 and 18 months previously, presented with visual loss that had been preceded by a recent history of cutaneous zoster. The use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for VZV DNA from ocular specimens allowed rapid confirmation of clinical diagnosis and treatment with a good outcome in one patient. With the increasing use of fludarabine and other purine analogues, an awareness of such complications is important because of their potentially sight-threatening consequences.
Chee
Y L
YL
Department of Haematology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK. y.chee@abdn.ac.uk
Culligan
D J
DJ
Olson
J A
JA
Molyneaux
P
P
Kurtz
J B
JB
Watson
H G
HG
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015882:Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D014740:Vidarabine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008258:Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / Q000188:drug therapy
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D014740:Vidarabine; C024352:fludarabine; D000212:Acyclovir