Fulminant varicella infection complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome, and disseminated intravascular coagulation in an immunocompetent young adult.
Primary varicella infection in immunocompetent adults is very rare, but it has a high mortality rate because of serious complications. We describe a case of varicella infection in a previously healthy young adult complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), rhabdomyolysis, acute hepatitis and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Acyclovir was administered for varicella infection and the ARDS was successfully treated with steroidpulse therapy, hemofiltration and a mechanical respiratory support with a positive end-expiratory pressure. Early administration of antiviral agents and extensive management were thought to be necessary for such patients with severe complications.
Lee
Soshoku
S
Second Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Fukui University, Fukui.
Ito
Nobuyuki
N
Inagaki
Tomoko
T
Okajima
Tatsuya
T
Muramatsu
Atsushi
A
Ito
Yoshiyuki
Y
Dojo
Manabu
M
Yamazaki
Yukinao
Y
Azuma
Takeshi
T
Kuriyama
Masaru
M
D000328:Adult; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008297:Male; D011024:Pneumonia, Viral / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000150:complications*