Skip to main content
Log in

Herpes zoster myelitis: Nervous system complications

  • Case Reports
  • Published:
The Italian Journal of Neurological Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Transverse myelitis after a zoster viral infection is an exceptional occurrence. In this case we documented an antibody activity against varicella, zoster (V-Z) in the cerebrospinal fluid in association with Coxsackie A enterovirus. The clinical course was atypical because of a second episode of myelitis 2 years after the first episode of neurologic viral complications. The positive outcome of therapy with Acyclovir is noteworthy. This case was retrieved in a review of neurologic complications observed in the last few years in patients affected by zoster in our hospital.

Sommario

In un caso di mielite trasversa sono stati documentati antigeni contro il virus varicella zoster (V-Z) e contemporaneamente è stata individuata la presenza di un enterovirus coxsackie A. nel liquor. Si segnala il decorso anomalo dell' affezione per un episodio omologo di mielite recidivante dopo 2 anni. Il trattamento con Acyclovir è risultato molto utile. Il caso viene inserito, in una review di complicanze neurologiche osservate in questi ultimi anni in pazienti ricoverati in Istituto per deficit neurologici da virus (V-2).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Appelbaum G., Kreps S.I., Sunshine A.:Herpes zoster encephalitis. Am. J. Med. 32, 25–31, 1962.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Bean B., Braun C., Balfour H. H.:Acyclovir therapy for acute herpes zoster. Lancet 2, 118–121, 1982

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Boudin G., Barbizet J., Brian S., Pepin B.:L'encéphalo-myelite zostérienne à propos des deux observations anatomo-cliniques. Rev. N. (Paris) 99, 535–557, 1958.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Biegger R. C., Van Scoy R., Smith T.:Antibodies to varicella zoster in cerebro spinal fluid. Arch. Neur. 34, 489–491, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Cappel R., Thiry M., Clinet G.:Viral antibodies in the CSF after acute CNS infection. Arch. Neur. 32, 629–631, 1975.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Chateau A.F., Cathala F., Cathala H.P., Clonard C.H.:Paralysie faciale a frigore. Nouv. Presse. Méd., 3, 1747–1749, 1974.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Dayan A.D., Ogul E., Graveson G.S.:Polyneuritis and herpes zoster. Neurol. Neurosur. Psychiat. 27, 170–175, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Dery P., Marks M., Shapera R.:Clinical manifestations of Coxsackie virus infections in children. Ann. J. Dis. Child. 128, 464–468, 1974.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Djupesland G., Berdal P., Johannessen F.A., Degree M.S., Skrede S.:Viral infection as a cause of acute peripheral facial palsy. Arch. Oto. 102, 403–406, 1976.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Doyle P.W., Gibson G.G., Dolman C.L.:Herpes zoster ophthalmicus with contralateral hemiplegia: identification of cause. Ann. Neurol. 14, 84–85, 1983.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Evans A.S., Melnick J.L.:Electronmicroscope studies of the vesicle and spinal fluids from a case of herpes zoster. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. (Ny) 71, 283–286, 1949.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Gordon J.G.:Herpes zoster ophthalmicus and delayed contralateral hemiparesis. JAMA 229, 302–304, 1974.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Gold E.:Serologic and virus isolation studies of patients with varicella or herpes zoster infection. New Engl. 274, 181–185, 1966.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Gupta S.K., Helal B.H., Kiely P.:Prognosis in zoster paralysis. J. Bone. Joint. Sur. (Brit) 51, 593–603, 1969.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Hawkes R.A.:General principle underlying laboratory diagnosis of viral infection. 5th Edit EM Lennette, N. J. Schmidt. pp 3–48, 1979.

  16. Hogan E.L., Krigman M.R.:Herpes zoster myelitis. Evidence for viral invasion of spinal cord. Arch. Neurol 29, 309–313, 1973.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Lindeman J., Muller W.K., Versteeg J., Bots G.T., Peters A.P.:Rapid diagnosis of meningo-encephalitis. Neur. (Minn) 24, 143–148, 1974.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Mc Kendall R.R., Klawans H.L.:Nervous system complications of varicella zoster virus. Handb. Clin. Neur., Ed Vinken P.J. and Bruyn G.W. 34, 161–184, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Mc Karnick W.F., Rodnitzky R.L., Schochet S.S., Mckee A.P.:Varicella zoster encephalomyelitis. A morphologic and virologic study. Arch. Neur. 21, 559–570, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Menkes D.B., Bishara S., Corbett A.:Hemispheric infarction after herpes zoster opthalmicus. J. Neur. Neurosur. Psychiat. 46, 786–788, 1983.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Muder R., Lumish M., Corsello G.:Myelopathy after herpes zoster. Arch. Neur. 40, 445–446, 1983.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Nyberg Hansen R.:Relapsing herpes zoster myelitis. Acta. Neur. Scan. 48, 397–400, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Peters A.C.B., Versteeg J., Bots G.T., Lindemanj:Varicella and acute cerebellar ataxia. Arch. Neur. (CHI) 35, 769, 771, 1978.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Peters A.C., Versteeg G.T., Bots A.M., Lindemanj, Smeets G.H.:Nervous system complications of herpes zoster: immunofluorescent demonstration of varicella zoster antigen in CSF cells. Neur. Neurosur. Psychiat. 42, 452–457, 1979.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Ruppenthal M.:Changes of the central nervous system in herpes zoster. Acta. Neuropathol. (Berl) 52, 59–68, 1980.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Rose F.C., Brett C.M., Burston J.:Zoster encephalomyelitis. Arch. Neur. 11, 155–172, 1964.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Shoji, Koye M., Ogiwara H.:Meningitis associated with herpes zoster. Neur. 213, 269–271, 1976.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Thomas Jurgen E., Howard F.M.:Segmental zoster paresis: a disease profile. Neur. 22, 459–466, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Walker R.J., Gammal T.E., Allen B.M.:Cranial arteritis associated with herpes zoster. Case report with angiographic findings. Radiol. 107, 109–110, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Boiardi, A., Ferrante, P., Porta, E. et al. Herpes zoster myelitis: Nervous system complications. Ital J Neuro Sci 7, 617–622 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02341478

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02341478

Key-Words

Navigation