Chronic myelitis associated with zoster sine herpete: A case report

RATIONALE

Neurological complications of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection include cerebral infarction, meningoencephalitis, segmental sensory disturbance, facial nerve palsy, and myelitis. Chronic myelitis is rarely reported. Diagnosis of VZV infection can be confirmed by elevated anti-VZV immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody or detection of VZV DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the former reported to be superior. The detection rate of VZV DNA is generally thought to decrease with time after the onset of the condition. The utility of VZV DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is thus thought to be limited to the acute phase of the disease. The presence of skin lesions also helps to render a diagnosis; however, cases of zoster sine herpete (ZSH), the occurrence of segmental symptoms without skin lesions, renders the diagnosis of VZV infection more difficult. Antiviral drugs, such as acyclovir, are the treatment of choice to resolve VZV infections.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 65-year-old Japanese man felt heaviness and a throbbing pain on the ulnar side of the right forearm. He was previously diagnosed with cervical spondylosis, and received nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with little improvement. Contrast cervical magnetic resonance imaging showed a swelling and an increased signal intensity of the spinal cord, and an enhancing lesion, all of which were suggestive of myelitis.

DIAGNOSIS

We found no evidence for diagnoses of sarcoidosis, Behçet disease, multiple sclerosis, or neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. The CSF analysis revealed an elevation of the total protein concentration and that the patient was positive for VZV DNA, while anti-VZV IgG was not elevated. The patient was therefore diagnosed with ZSH myelitis.

INTERVENTIONS

We administered acyclovir and valaciclovir as the first therapy. At the time of recurrence, we used high-dose acyclovir, vidarabine, and high-dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy.

OUTCOMES

The patient's dysesthetic pain in the right upper limb improved following the first antiviral therapy. Two months later, he suffered a recurrence, but the second therapy significantly relieved his symptoms.

LESSONS

VZV infection should be regarded as an important differential diagnosis of chronic myelitis. VZV DNA PCR should be performed even in the chronic phase of the condition to introduce the possibility of antiviral therapy as a treatment option.

[Hypogeusia and High Signals in the Nuclei of the Solitary Tract on MRI due to Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection: A Case Report]

A 63-year-old man noticed hypogeusia after presenting hiccups for several days. He was serologically diagnosed with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection, but had no skin lesions typical of herpes (zoster sine herpete). Hypogeusia was confirmed by electrogustometry and the filter-paper disk method, which showed damage in the areas innervated by the cord of tympanum, glossopharyngeal nerve, and greater petrosal nerve. High signals in the nuclei of the solitary tract of the medulla oblongata and the enhancement of the bilateral intracranial segments of the cranial nerve IX and X complex were observed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The signal changes in the nuclei of the solitary tract on MRI were seen for more than 2 months, and hypogeusia lasted for more than 7 months. Hypogeusia caused by VZV infection has rarely been reported; however, similar cases could have gone undiagnosed or underdiagnosed in patients with idiopathic hypogeusia. (Received August 18, 2016; Accepted September 29, 2016; Published February 1, 2017).

[Lower cranial polyneuropathy in zoster sine herpete presenting with pain in the ear and throat: a case report]

A 64-year-old woman developed acute paralysis of glossopharyngeal, vagus, accessory, and hypoglossal nerves on the left side after pain in the head and the left ear and throat. Cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis and elevated protein concentration. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-DNA was detected by PCR from cerebrospinal fluid. The diagnosis of lower cranial polyneuropathy due to VZV reactivation was made. After oral administration of an anti-viral agent and steroid, all symptoms and signs dramatically improved. Notably, there was no evidence of cutaneous or mucosal rash during the whole course of the disease. VZV reactivation should be included in the differential diagnosis of acute lower cranial polyneuropathy, especially with pain in the ear and throat, even without cutaneous or mucosal rash.

Burning pain from chest to back · allodynia and hyperesthesia · extreme sensitivity at the left T5 dermatome · Dx?

A 27-year-old woman in the 21st week of her first pregnancy came to our clinic complaining of a constant burning pain that spread around her left chest wall to her back. She graded the pain as a 10 on a 0 to 10 visual analog scale. The pain, which began 3 months earlier, became worse when she took a deep breath, ate, or walked, but was alleviated by applying warm compresses. Our patient hadn't slept well since the pain began. Her medical history was noteworthy for chickenpox at age 5.

[Neurological complications among patients with zoster hospitalized in Department of Infectious Diseases in Cracow in 2001-2006]

BACKGROUND

Herpes zoster is an infectious disease caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV). After replication at the place of entry, VZV spreads via the blood into the skin and mucosa, causing the varicella. From these regions VZV migrates into the sensory ganglia where it establishes a latent infection. The aim of our study was to analyze the localization of the skin changes and correlations of neurological complications among patient with zoster.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We have reviewed medical documentation of the 67 patients with herpes zoster, hospitalized in our Department during the years 2001-2006. We have studied localization of the herpes zoster changes and frequency of neurological complications among these patients.

RESULTS

Neuralgia was less intensive and last shorter time, when antiviral treatment had been started earlier. Neuralgia, meningitis, encephalitis and complications of the eye zoster were present more often among patients over 65 years old.

[Case of zoster sine herpete presenting with dysphagia diagnosed by PCR analysis of VZV DNA in auricular skin exudates]

A 66-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of hoarseness and dysphagia after right earache and pharyngalgia. She showed right glossopharyngeal nerve and vagus nerve palsies, but no other neurological deficits. There was no skin rash within the regions of her ear, oral cavity, pharynx and larynx. Slight increase of mononuclear cells was noted in the cerebrospinal fluid. MR brain imaging was normal. We diagnosed her as zoster sine herpete (ZSH) and treated her with acyclovir, after which she almost completely recovered. The examination of antibodies and DNA of varicella zoster virus (VZV) in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid revealed a pattern of previous zoster infection without evidences of reactivation. However, VZV DNA was detected in auricular skin exudates with PCR. We conclude that PCR analysis of VZV DNA in auricular skin exudates can be a useful diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of zoster sine herpete presenting with painful glossopharyngeal nerve and vagus nerve palsies.

Varicella-zoster virus reactivation is an important cause of acute peripheral facial paralysis in children

BACKGROUND

Reactivation of herpes simplex virus type 1 is thought to be a major cause of adult idiopathic peripheral facial paralysis or Bell's palsy. However, few studies have examined the pathogenesis of this condition in children. Serologic assays and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of paired sera and saliva samples were used here to investigate the causes of acute peripheral facial paralysis in pediatric patients.

METHODS

A total of 30 children with acute peripheral facial paralysis were recruited. Paired sera were assayed for evidence of herpesvirus, mumps virus or Borrelia infection. PCR was used to detect herpes simplex virus type 1 and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) DNA in saliva samples.

RESULTS

Ramsay Hunt syndrome with accompanying zoster lesions was diagnosed clinically in 2 patients, and VZV reactivation was confirmed serologically. VZV reactivation in the absence of zoster (zoster sine herpete) was diagnosed in 9 patients with either serologic assays or PCR. Thus VZV reactivation was demonstrated in 11 of 30 (37%) patients. The prevalence of VZV reactivation among patients between 6 and 15 years of age was significantly higher than in those younger than 5 years of age (53% versus 9%, P = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that VZV reactivation is an important cause of acute peripheral facial paralysis in children, especially those between 6 and 15 years of age.

Risk factors for postherpetic neuralgia in patients with herpes zoster

OBJECTIVES

To identify risk factors for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) using a validated definition of this chronic neuropathic pain syndrome, to determine combinations of risk factors that identify patients with a high risk of developing PHN, and to examine the characteristics of patients with subacute herpetic neuralgia, that is, pain that persists beyond the acute phase of herpes zoster but that resolves before PHN can be diagnosed.

METHODS

The authors examined baseline and follow-up data from 965 herpes zoster patients enrolled within 72 hours of rash onset in two clinical trials of famciclovir.

RESULTS

Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that older age, female sex, presence of a prodrome, greater rash severity, and greater acute pain severity made independent contributions to identifying which patients developed PHN. Patients with subacute herpetic neuralgia who did not develop PHN were significantly younger and had less severe acute pain than PHN patients but were significantly more likely to have severe and widespread rash than patients without persisting pain.

CONCLUSIONS

The independent contributions to the prediction of PHN made by older age, female sex, presence of a prodrome, greater rash severity, and greater acute pain severity suggest that these risk factors reflect different mechanisms that each contribute to the development of PHN. Subacute herpetic neuralgia that does not progress to PHN may reflect peripheral tissue damage and inflammation caused by a particularly severe or widespread rash.