Varicella Zoster Infection Complicated by Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis and Pneumonitis in an Immunocompetent Patient

Abstract

Primary varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection usually affects children and young adults. Symptoms in immunocompetent patients are generally limited to cutaneous manifestations. Pulmonary and neurological manifestations of primary VZV infection are extremely rare and usually described in immunocompromised patients. Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM), an immune-mediated inflammatory demyelination event often occurring after a viral infection, has been rarely described as occurring after primary VZV infection. We present a case of a previously healthy adult presenting with primary VZV infection complicated by pneumonitis and neurological involvement. To our knowledge, no similar cases were previously described.