Abstract
Myelopathy is an uncommon complication of VZV infection and may develop in the absence
of rash. We report the rare recurrence of myelopathy in an immunocompetent adult who
initially developed myelopathy after ophthalmic-distribution zoster. Recurrent myelopathy
two years later caused by VZV was verified by the presence of new-onset clinical symptoms
and signs consistent with myelopathy, new lesions in the spinal cord detected by MRI,
and evidence of intrathecal synthesis of anti-VZV IgG antibody in CSF. After virological
verification and antiviral therapy, myelopathy did not recur and anti-VZV IgG antibody
could not be detected in CSF. In contrast to earlier cases of recurrent VZV myelopathy
in immunocompetent adults that developed weeks to months after the first episode of
myelopathy, this is the first instance of recurrence years later.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
September 16,
2008
Received in revised form:
September 12,
2008
Received:
August 19,
2008
Identification
Copyright
© 2008 Elsevier B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
