Pneumonic varicella in patient with inactive hepatitis B: A case report

Abstract

Although rarely observed, varicella zoster virus (VZV)-related pneumonia is the most serious complication of the virus, which commonly affects adults and causes high mortality rates. In this study, we describe a case of VZV pneumonia in a 29-year-old male who is an inactive Hepatitis B virus carrier. The patient presented with a 5-day history of fatigue, sore throat, fever, cough and mild dyspnea. He also had an exanthematous vesicular rash. The rash had spread all over his body surface including the hairy skin. But he was not febrile and vital signs were normal. The skin examination exhibited a diffuse polymorphic rash with papules/vesicles, pustules and crusty lesions over the whole body. Serological findings were as follows: VZV IgM positive, VZV IgG positive and HBsAg positive. His chest X-ray showed bilateral pneumonic infiltrations. The patient was prescribed valacyclovir and clarithromycin. The skin lesions disappeared after ten days and the patient made a full recovery. We conclude that an early diagnosis of VZV pneumonia, which rarely occurs in adult patients and its effective treatment with antivirals may prevent the development of serious complications.

Keywords

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Pneumonic varicella in patient with inactive hepatitis B: A case report

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