Vaccine-associated herpes zoster ophthalmicus [correction of opthalmicus] and encephalitis in an immunocompetent child.
Varicella-zoster virus vaccine has diminished the consequences of chicken pox in terms of health and economical burden. The increasing number of doses administered worldwide has revealed rare but important adverse effects that had not occurred during clinical trials. We report here the case of an immunocompetent 3(1/2)-year-old girl who developed encephalitis and herpes zoster opthalmicus 20 months after her immunization with varicella-zoster virus vaccine. Molecular analysis confirmed the vaccine strain as the causative agent. After an intravenous course with acyclovir, the child made a full recovery with no neurologic sequelae.
Chouliaras
Giorgos
G
First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece. georgehouliaras@msn.com
Spoulou
Vana
V
Quinlivan
Mark
M
Breuer
Judith
J
Theodoridou
Maria
M
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D020804:Encephalitis, Varicella Zoster / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006563:Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence
D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine; D000212:Acyclovir