A successful diagnostic case of Varicella zoster virus pneumonia by a Film Array assay for meningitis/encephalitis

Introduction

Although varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection is generally considered self-limiting and shows a favorable outcome, herpes zoster (HZ) can cause several complications such as neurological pain or meningitis, which lowers the patients’ quality of life. HZ rarely manifests VZV pneumonia, resulting in a poor prognosis with a high mortality rate of 10–30 % if requiring a mechanical ventilation. Here, we present a rare successfully managed case of VZV pneumonia.

Case presentation

A 90-year-old man with a medical history of angina pectoris, prostate cancer, dementia, and brain infarction was diagnosed with pneumonia and was admitted to our institute. Four days before the admission, he had visited our outpatient clinic, where he had received anti-herpes therapy due to HZ on the right limb. Although TAZ/PIPC was started empirically, his respiratory status deteriorated. On day 3, we performed a Film Array Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) PCR panel on a sputum specimen and VZV was identified. Thus, he was diagnosed as having VZV pneumonia and antiviral therapy with acyclovir was started. Since the patient's condition was improved, the antiviral therapy was ended on day 18. Despite that his VZV pneumonia was successfully cured, he passed away due to old age on day 63.

Conclusion

Due to poor medical conditions, some elderly patients cannot tolerate bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for diagnosing VZV pneumonia. Film Array ME panel on sputum specimen is a useful method to the diagnosis of VZV pneumonia.