Multifocal vasculopathy due to Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV): serial analysis of VZV DNA and intrathecal synthesis of VZV antibody in cerebrospinal fluid.
Recognition of multifocal vasculopathy due to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is often problematic. We describe a human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient who had progressive central nervous system disease for >3 months. Both VZV DNA and antibody were detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens; serial polymerase chain reaction analyses confirmed the diagnosis and guided the duration of therapy. Reduced ratios of VZV antibody in serum to that in CSF were also demonstrated.
Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland. andreas.kronenberg@dim.usz.ch
Andreas
A
Kronenberg
Reto
R
Schupbach
Bernhard
B
Schuknecht
Walter
W
Bossart
Rainer
R
Weber
Donald H
DH
Gilden
Roberto F
RF
Speck
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral