Remission of rheumatoid arthritis after acute disseminated varicella-zoster infection

Abstract

A 65-year-old immunocompetent male presented with symmetric polyarthritis of 12 weeks and paresthesias in the distribution of the left median nerve distribution of 4 weeks duration. He had tender joint count of 20 and swollen joint count of 12. He was positive for rheumatoid factor and his erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 52 mm. Nerve conduction study demonstrated polyneuropathy. Radiographs showed severe juxta articular osteopenia at the wrist and the metacarpophalangeal joints. He received methotrexate of 10 mg/week and prednisolone of 0.15 mg/kg/day along with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with a diagnosis of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Thirteen weeks after therapy, he presented to the outpatient clinic with disseminated vesicular eruptions all over his body with erythematous base and pneumonia involving the left upper lobe. Tzanck smear from the lesions and serology (IgG) for varicella-virus infection were positive. A diagnosis of acute disseminated varicella zoster with pneumonia was made. The patient improved on parenteral acyclovir and broad-spectrum antibiotics. With the improvement in rash and pneumonia after 2 weeks, the patient noticed a marked improvement in the joint symptoms. Arthritis remained in remission without the need for any disease-modifying drug or NSAID for next the 24 months and continued to be so until the last follow-up. Our case presents a unique phenomenon of RA remission after disseminated varicella-zoster infection in an immunocompetent individual.