title: A Case of Transverse Myelitis Caused by Varicella Zoster Virus in an Immunocompetent Older Patient.
abstract: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a human neurotropic alphaherpesvirus that causes chickenpox (varicella) in children. VZV reactivation may lead to neurological complications, including transverse myelitis. However, transverse myelitis caused by VZV reactivation is rare in immunocompetent patients. Herein, we report a case of transverse myelitis caused by VZV in an immunocompetent older patient, and confirmed this case by polymerase chain reaction. A 79-year-old woman visited our service with complaints of weakness in the right lower leg, generalized vesicular eruptions, and throbbing pain in the right flank for ten days. Spine MRI showed transverse myelitis in the thoracic spine at level T4-T11. The patient was treated with acyclovir and her neurological functions improved, except for sensory impairment below level T10. For older patients, early and aggressive antiviral treatment against VZV may be necessary even though these patients are immunocompetent.
authors.affiliation: Deparment of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong Eun
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3027-1381
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Deparment of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Shinwon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Deparment of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Kye Hyung
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Deparment of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Hee Ryeong
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Deparment of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Joo
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Deparment of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Suk
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Deparment of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Deparment of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea. zzanmery@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sun Hee
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2093-3628
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
keywords: Antiviral treatment; Immunocompetent; Older patients; Transverse myelitis; Varicella zoster virus