J Korean Child Neurol Soc.  2018 Mar;26(1):74-76. 10.26815/jkcns.2018.26.1.74.

Varicella Zoster Meningitis in an Immunocompetent Child

• Kim YJ
• Choi YB
• Kim DH
• Kwon YS

• KMID: 2435280
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.26815/jkcns.2018.26.1.74

Abstract

Neurologic complications associated with varicella zoster virus (VZV) are rare in children. A 13-year-old boy was hospitalized due to headache, fever, and vomiting. Aseptic viral meningitis was strongly suspicious based on findings on physical exam, cerebrospinal fluid examination, and brain magnetic resonance imaging. On the second day of hospitalization, typical zosteriform rashes developed on his left chest wall across the T7-T8 dermatome. Tzanck test of the skin lesion was positive and polymerase chain reaction test for VZV was positive on the second cerebrospinal fluid examination. Serum immunoglobulin levels were within normal range. Intravenous acyclovir was started and symptoms and signs of meningitis gradually improved and the patient was discharged without any complications. In immunocompetent children, VZV meningitis is rare and requires rapid diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to prompt diagnosis and treatment thorough medical history, physical examination and laboratory examination.

Keyword

Varicella zoster virus; Herpes zoster; Meningitis; Immunocompetent

MeSH Terms

Acyclovir
Adolescent
Brain
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Chickenpox*
Child*
Diagnosis
Exanthema
Fever
Headache
Herpes Zoster*
Herpesvirus 3, Human
Hospitalization
Humans
Immunoglobulins
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Meningitis*
Meningitis, Viral
Physical Examination
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Reference Values
Skin
Thoracic Wall
Vomiting
Acyclovir
Immunoglobulins