Varicella Zoster Aseptic Meningitis: Report of an Atypical Case and Literature Review.
BACKGROUND
Neurologic complications can occur with varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection, usually after vesicular exanthem. A review of the literature revealed 3 cases of viral meningitis associated with 6th nerve palsy but without significantly increased intracranial pressure.


METHODS
We report a case of a previously healthy 15-year-old girl with aseptic meningitis as a result of reactivated-VZV infection with symptoms of increased intracranial pressure and reversible 6th cranial nerve palsy but without exanthema. Diagnosis was made by detection of VZV-DNA in cerebrospinal fluid using polymerase chain reaction and documented high intracranial pressure. Full recovery was achieved after a course of acyclovir and acetazolamide.


CONCLUSIONS
This case demonstrates that VZV may be considered in cases of aseptic meningitis in immunocompetent individuals, even without exanthema, and it may increase the intracranial pressure, leading to symptoms, and causing reversible neurological deficit.
Department of Internal Medicine, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
Walid
W
Ibrahim
Department of Internal Medicine, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
Abdel-Naser
AN
Elzouki
Department of Internal Medicine, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
Ahmed
A
Husain
Department of Psychiatry, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
Lubna
L
Osman
D000293:Adolescent; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human; D006801:Humans; D008582:Meningitis, Aseptic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008587:Meningitis, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
D000998:Antiviral Agents