Transverse Myelitis Due to Varicella-Zoster Virus: A Case Report

Abstract

The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a virus of the subfamily of Alfa virus responsible for infections with different clinical presentations. Primary infection occurs more frequently in the paediatric age presented as chickenpox. The reactivation of the infection occurs mainly in immunosuppressed patients, in the form of Herpes-Zoster. Varicella-Zoster virus is associated with severe neurological complications, including post herpetic neuralgia, aseptic meningitis, polyneuropathy, cranial nerve palsy, meningoencephalitis, vasculopathy, encephalitis and transverse myelitis. A review of Transverse Myelitis due to VZV is presented, regarding a case of Acute Myelitis by VZV with poor response to treatment in a HIV patient. Literature is reviewed with special focus on diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.