title: Varicella-Zoster Virus Vasculopathy: The Growing Association Between Herpes Zoster and Strokes.
abstract: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is herpes virus that after its reactivation from nerve ganglia to cause herpes zoster may lead to a variety of neurologic complications, including encephalitis, meningitis, retinal necrosis or myelitis. In addition, VZV can spread to arteries in the central nervous system and cause hemorrhagic or ischemic complications due to an inflammatory vasculopathy. In fact, there is a growing epidemiological and clinical recognition that there is an association between VZV reactivation and subsequent strokes. Herein, we present a case of an immune compromised individual with reactivation of VZV causing dermatomal herpes zoster followed by multifocal vasculopathy. We also review the literature to highlight key aspects of VZV-associated vasculopathy.
authors.affiliation: Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital (DRP, SP, CF-P), Infectious Diseases, Albany, Georgia; and Hospital Infantil de Mexico (CF-P), Federico Gomez, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.forename: Shiddhi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Franco-Paredes
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020521:Stroke / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000212:Acyclovir