Adjuvant treatment of severe varicella pneumonia with intravenous varicella zoster virus-specific immunoglobulins

Int J Infect Dis. 2019 Aug:85:70-73. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2019.05.022. Epub 2019 May 24.

Abstract

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) pneumonia is associated with significant mortality, especially in the immunocompromised host. VZV-specific immunoglobulins (VZIG) are currently used as post-exposure prophylaxis for at-risk patients, but not as adjunctive therapy. A novel case of VZV pneumonia in an immunocompromised patient, treated successfully with intravenous VZIG in combination with acyclovir, is reported here.

Keywords: Immunocompromised host; Intensive care unit; Intravenous immunoglobulins; Pneumonia; Varicella zoster virus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acyclovir / therapeutic use
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / administration & dosage
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / therapeutic use*
  • Administration, Intravenous
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Viral / therapeutic use*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Herpesvirus 3, Human / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Male
  • Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy*
  • Varicella Zoster Virus Infection / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Acyclovir