Triad of severe abdominal pain, inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, and disseminated varicella-zoster virus infection preceding cutaneous manifestations after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: utility of PCR for early recognition and therapy

Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2008 Mar;27(3):265-8. doi: 10.1097/INF.0b013e31815cb239.

Abstract

A hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient developed abdominal pain, pneumatosis intestinalis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, and inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. Blood for varicella-zoster virus (VZV) DNA polymerase chain reaction was positive. She was treated with acyclovir and subsequently developed VZV antigen-positive zoster. Detection of VZV DNA in blood may be useful for early diagnosis in immunocompromised hosts who present with zoster without skin lesions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Acyclovir / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • DNA, Viral / blood
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Herpes Zoster / diagnosis*
  • Herpes Zoster / drug therapy
  • Herpesvirus 3, Human / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Pancreatitis / etiology
  • Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis / etiology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Vasopressins / blood

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • DNA, Viral
  • Vasopressins
  • Acyclovir