Varicella-Zoster Meningoencephalitis in a Patient Exposed to HIV/AIDS: A Case Report
Michele Paula Dos Santos *
School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University, Rio Grande Do Sul, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Carolina Boeira Soares
School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University, Rio Grande Do Sul, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Livia Giacomet
School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University, Rio Grande Do Sul, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Leonardo Bongiovani Loro
School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University, Rio Grande Do Sul, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Luane Pereira Gomes
School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University, Rio Grande Do Sul, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Raquel Silveira de Maman
School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University, Rio Grande Do Sul, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Barbara Adelmann De Lima
School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University, Rio Grande Do Sul, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Fernanda Bercht Merten
School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University, Rio Grande Do Sul, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Bartira Ercilia Pinheiro Da Costa
School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University, Rio Grande Do Sul, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Miriam Viviane Baron
School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University, Rio Grande Do Sul, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: To report an unusual case of herpes zoster meningoencephalitis in an immunocompetent patient exposed to HIV/AIDS.
Presentation of Case: The present report deals with an immunocompetent patient who was diagnosed with meningoencephalitis caused by Herpes Zoster, an opportunistic infection that presented complications.
Discussion: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a pathogenic human herpes virus that causes chickenpox as a primary infection, after which it becomes latent in the peripheral ganglia. Later, the virus can be reactivated spontaneously or after a series of triggers to cause herpes zoster. Chickenpox and its complications are more severe in immunosuppressed patients.
Conclusion: An unusual case of varicella-zoster meningoencephalitis in an immunocompetent patient that deserves to be shared with colleagues.
Keywords: Encephalomeningitis, human herpesvirus 3, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, zoster encephalitis, varicella