Click Here to return To Results

 

Zoster Myelitis:Improvement with Antiviral Therapy in Two Cases Neurol 47:929-931, deSilva,S.M.,et al, 1996 See this aricle in Pubmed Article Abstract This reports describes two patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS)and herpes zoster myelopathy.Patient one had a T-8 myelitis that preceded the onset of T-8 distribution zoster and was followed by cervical myelopathy.Antibody to varicella zoster virus(VZV)was present in the CSF.He never received steroids or other immunosuppressive drugs,and his condition improved dramatically after treatment with intravenous acyclovir.The second patient had a rapidly progressive myelitis with paralysis of both legs.Detection of VZV DNA and antibody to VZV in his CSF led to successful treatment with famciclovir despite discontinuation of dexamethasone and earlier treatment failure with acyclovir.These case support the idea that VZV myelopathy in the immunosuppressed host is caused by virus invasion.CSF analysis for antiviral antibody and for VZV DNA by polymerase chain reaction are helpful in establishing the diagnosis Aggressive antiviral therapy is advised.

Related Tags

(click to filter results - removes previous filter) acquired immunodeficiency syndrome acquired immunodeficiency syndrome myelopathy acyclovir antiviral agents cerebrospinal fluid,abnormal famciclovir herpes zoster herpes zoster,myelitis immunosuppression MRI MRI,abnormal MRI,spinal cord myelitis myelitis,transverse myelopathy opportunistic infection opportunistic infection,CNS polymerase chain reaction serologic testing serologic testing of cerebrospinal fluid treatment of neurologic disorder varicella zoster virus zoster sine herpete

Click Here to return To Results