Abstract
We report the case of a newly-diagnosed HIV-positive patient with varicella zoster virus aneurysmal vasculopathy confirmed on intrathecal antibody testing, despite a negative Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). This highlights the importance of prompt treatment with antiviral and steroid therapy in the presence of clinical or radiological suspicion whilst awaiting further confirmatory testing.
Keywords:
Antiviral; diagnosis; human immunodeficiency virus; varicella zoster virus; vasculopathy.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Anti-Retroviral Agents / administration & dosage
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Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
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Brain / blood supply*
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Brain / diagnostic imaging*
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Cerebral Arterial Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
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Computed Tomography Angiography
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Encephalitis, Varicella Zoster / complications*
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Encephalitis, Varicella Zoster / drug therapy
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Female
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HIV Seropositivity / diagnosis*
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HIV Seropositivity / drug therapy
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Herpesvirus 3, Human / isolation & purification
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Humans
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Intracranial Aneurysm / diagnostic imaging*
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Intracranial Hemorrhages / diagnostic imaging
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Intracranial Hemorrhages / etiology*
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Intracranial Hemorrhages / virology
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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Prednisolone / administration & dosage
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Treatment Outcome
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Varicella Zoster Virus Infection / diagnosis*
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Varicella Zoster Virus Infection / drug therapy
Substances
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Anti-Retroviral Agents
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Antiviral Agents
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Prednisolone