Abstract

SUAREZ, Margarita María; MAYA, Isabel Cristina; BETANCOURT, Marcela María  and  ESPINAL, David Andrés. Visceral varicella in pediatric patients, clinical case report. Infect. [online]. 2012, vol.16, n.1, pp.75-80. ISSN 0123-9392.

We report the case of a 10 years old pediatric patient immunosuppressed with steroids and methotrexate for rheumatological disease who presents atypical varicella with visceral involvement such as lung, liver and blood disorders, without skin manifestations initially which development to the 8-day, requiring support in pediatric intensive care unit and multidisciplinary management. Chickenpox is a common rash illness, considered benign with a mild and limited in immunocompetent patients. By contrast, infection with this virus in immunosuppressed patients is an entity that potentially life threatening, especially when presented with visceral involvement. Infection with varicella-zoster virus should be considered in patients with unexplained liver dysfunction associated with abdominal or back pain under conditions of immunosuppression, even in the absence of viral exposure or skin compromise, The hepatic involvement as both of the other systems has been associated with high morbidity and mortality. A high index of suspicion of severe varicella in immunosuppressed patients is important for diagnosis and timely management.

Keywords : immunocompromised; pediatrics; visceral varicella.

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