title: Varicella zoster virus infection in inflammatory bowel disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The risk of viral infection is increased in immunosuppressed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is of particular interest in IBD because of a number of reports of severe, disseminated, and occasionally fatal varicella infection in immunosuppressed IBD patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed publications describing VZV infection in IBD patients and combined these data with a review of the current literature relating to both primary and secondary varicella in IBD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty cases of primary varicella infection and 32 cases of herpes zoster infection have been reported in IBD. Additional cases are reported in clinical trials. The risk of VZV infection is increased with all immunosuppressants used in IBD, but corticosteroids and combination immunosuppression appear to be a particular risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Healthcare providers need to be aware of the various manifestations of primary and secondary VZV infection in immunosuppressed IBD patients. Patients should be screened for VZV immunity and vaccinated prior to commencing immunosuppression.
authors.affiliation: Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. gcullen@bidmc.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Garret
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cullen
authors.forename: Rachel P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Baden
authors.forename: Adam S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Cheifetz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents