[Severe varicella zoster pneumonia during the course of treatment with azathioprine for Crohn's disease].
BACKGROUND
Disseminated varicella zoster infection has only rarely been reported in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, despite the frequent use of azathioprine for this disorder.


METHODS
We report the case of an 18-year-old woman who developed severe varicella zoster pneumonia 9 months after starting azathioprine for Crohn's disease. The patient recovered after prompt treatment with acyclovir and discontinuation of the azathioprine.


CONCLUSIONS
Strategies concerning the treatment and the prevention of varicella infection in the immunocompromised patient are discussed.
Lemyze
M
M
Service de Pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier, Lens, France.
Tavernier
J-Y
JY
Chevalon
B
B
Lamblin
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011024:Pneumonia, Viral / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001379:Azathioprine