HERPES MYELITIS IN AN IMMUNOCOMPETENT PATIENT

Abstract

Herpes zoster is a common viral infection of the nervous system especially in elderly and immunocompromised patients. Pathogenesis involves reactivation of Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), latent in the neurons of sensory ganglia following a primary infection with chickenpox. We report here an immunocomptent 36-year-old patient who developed myelitis three weeks after a skin eruption consistent with Herpes zoster. She responded to parenteral acyclovir and adjunctive low-dose steroids.