A case of acute abdomen caused by visceral disseminated varicella-zoster virus infection causes diagnostic challenges during the course of systemic lupus erythematosus
Visceral disseminated varicella-zoster virus (VD-VZV) infection, resulting from primary infection by, or reactivation of, VZV, is a rare and severe complication in immunosuppressed patients. Because VD-VZV often develops alongside acute abdominal pain, which precedes appearance of the skin rash, dia...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Series: | IDCases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214250925001738 |
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| Summary: | Visceral disseminated varicella-zoster virus (VD-VZV) infection, resulting from primary infection by, or reactivation of, VZV, is a rare and severe complication in immunosuppressed patients. Because VD-VZV often develops alongside acute abdominal pain, which precedes appearance of the skin rash, diagnosis is difficult. Here, we report a case of 48-year-old woman who presented with acute abdomen, leading to a diagnosis of VD-VZV infection. The patient developed systemic lupus erythematosus 4 months earlier, and had been treated with immunosuppressants. The patient was treated successfully with a 7-day course of intravenous acyclovir. VD-VZV infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis in immunosuppressed patients with acute abdomen. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment with antivirals are crucial for improved patient outcomes. |
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| ISSN: | 2214-2509 |