Zoster myelitis: Improvement with antiviral therapy in two cases
Zoster myelitis: Improvement with antiviral therapy in two cases
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DOI:
10.1212/wnl.47.4.929
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发表时间:
1996-10-01
期刊:
影响因子:
9.9
通讯作者:
Houff, S
中科院分区:
文献类型:
--
作者:
deSilva, SM;Mark, AS;Houff, S
This report describes two patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and herpes tester myelopathy. Patient one had a T-8 myelitis that preceded the onset of T-8-distribution tester and was followed by cervical myelopathy. Antibody to varicella tester virus (VZV) was present in the CSF. He never received steroids or other immunosuppressive drugs, and his condition improved dramatically after treatment with intravenous acyclovir. The second patient had a rapidly progressive myelitis with paralysis of both legs. Detection of VZV DNA and antibody to VZV in his CSF led to successful treatment with famciclovir despite discontinuation of dexamethasone and earlier treatment failure with acyclovir. These cases support the idea that VZV myelopathy in the immunosuppressed host is caused by virus invasion. CSF analysis for antiviral antibody and for VZV DNA by polymerase chain reaction are helpful in establishing the diagnosis. Aggressive antiviral therapy is advised.