title: Herpes zoster myelitis: report of two cases.
abstract: Two male patients aged 40 and 45 years with HIV infection and paraplegia are presented. The two had sub-acute onset paraplegia with a sensory level, which developed 10 days after herpes zoster dermatomal rash. They both had asymmetrically involvement of the lower limbs. Investigation including imaging of the spinal cord did not reveal any other cause of the neurological deficit. The two responded very well to treatment with acyclovir. Herpes zoster myelitis is a condition likely to rise with the upsurge of HIV infection and there is a need to identify the condition early. We also review the literature on the subject.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 19676, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Amayo
authors.forename: T O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Kwasa
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Otieno
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009187:Myelitis / Q000821:virology*; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000821:virology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000212:Acyclovir