Work

Refractory reactivated VZV encephalitis with vasculopathy secondary to rituximab

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: We report a case of a 54 year old Sudanese lady admitted with dizziness, visual disturbance and collapse with nystagmus, ataxia, bilateral ptosis, and 3rd cranial nerve palsy on examination. CT and MRI scan of her head showed multiple areas of infarct. A lumbar puncture showed lymphocytosis and was positive for VZV. She was initiated on treatment with IV acyclovir but during the course of her admission, she had recurrent strokes and maintained VZV DNA positivity on repeated lumbar punctures despite being on prolonged treatment. She was diagnosed with refractory varicella encephalitis secondary to varicella zoster virus reactivation, likely resulting from recent rituximab therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus and a mixed connective tissue disorder.

Source: Clinical Infection in Practice

DOI: 10.1016/j.clinpr.2024.100395

Authors: Nisha A. George, Melissa Haines, Vincent Lam, Julian Tang

Institutions: Leicester Royal Infirmary, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, University of Leicester

Language: English

Topic: Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,000