title: Recurrent varicella in an immunocompetent woman.
abstract: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection causes 2 distinct disease processes. Primary VZV infection results in varicella (chickenpox), a common generalized eruption, and subsequent reactivation of VZV classically results in herpes zoster (shingles), which presents as a unilateral, dermatomal eruption. Although a single VZV infection typically confers protection against its reactivation, recurrent varicella rarely is reported, particularly in immunocompetent patients. We present the case of a 52-year-old black woman with an intact immune system who demonstrated 3 VZV infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Suwanee, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Suwanee, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Greenfield
mesh_terms: D002644:Chickenpox / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence