title: Disseminated VZV infection and asymptomatic VZV vasculopathy after steroid abuse.
abstract: A 60-year-old man who abused corticosteroids developed thoracic-distribution zoster. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) DNA was found in non-healing skin 3 months later. He died suddenly 2 months later. Skin was ulcerated and necrotic. VZV was widespread in organs and arteries, particularly coronary arteries and aorta, with VZV vasculopathy in the posterior cerebral artery.
authors: Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States. Electronic address: maria.nagel@ucdenver.edu.
authors: Maria A
authors: MA
authors: Nagel
authors: Institute of Pathology, Kantonsspital, St. Gallen, Switzerland. Electronic address: Daniela.lenggenhager@usz.ch.
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Lenggenhager
authors: Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States. Electronic address: Teresa.m.white@ucdenver.edu.
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: White
authors: Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States. Electronic address: nelly.khmeleva@ucdenver.edu.
authors: Nelly
authors: N
authors: Khmeleva
authors: Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States. Electronic address: anna.heintzman@gmail.com.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Heintzman
authors: Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States. Electronic address: Philip.boyer@ucdenver.edu.
authors: Philip J
authors: PJ
authors: Boyer
authors: Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States. Electronic address: don.gilden@ucdenver.edu.
authors: Don
authors: D
authors: Gilden
mesh_terms: D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D013256:Steroids
keywords: Corticosteroids; Sudden death; VZV dissemination