Varicella Zoster Encephalitis (Encephalitis, Varicella)

Inflammation of brain tissue caused by infection with the varicella-zoster virus (HERPESVIRUS 3, HUMAN). This condition is associated with immunocompromised states, including the ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME. Pathologically, the virus tends to induce a vasculopathy and infect oligodendrocytes and ependymal cells, leading to CEREBRAL INFARCTION, multifocal regions of demyelination, and periventricular necrosis. Manifestations of varicella encephalitis usually occur 5-7 days after onset of HERPES ZOSTER and include HEADACHE; VOMITING; lethargy; focal neurologic deficits; FEVER; and COMA. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1996, Ch 26, pp29-32; Hum Pathol 1996 Sep;27(9):927-38)

Also Known As:

Encephalitis, Varicella; Zoster Encephalitis, Varicella; Encephalitis, Varicella Zoster; Encephalitis, Herpes Zoster; Encephalitis, VZ Virus; Herpes Zoster Meningoencephalitis; Varicella Encephalitides; Virus Encephalitis, VZ; Zoster Encephalitis, Herpes; Encephalitis, Human Herpesvirus 3; Herpes Zoster Encephalitis; Meningoencephalitis, Herpes Zoster; Varicella Encephalitis

Networked: 28 relevant articles (2 outcomes, 0 trials/studies)

Relationship Network

Disease Context: Research Results

Related Diseases

1.	Herpes Zoster
2.	Chickenpox
3.	Stroke (Strokes)
4.	Radiculopathy (Radiculopathy, Cervical)
5.	Necrosis

Experts

1.	Brynskov, Jørn: 1 article (01/2022)
2.	Kristensen, Lars Erik: 1 article (01/2022)
3.	Palaparthy, Vinod Kumar: 1 article (01/2022)
4.	Steenholdt, Casper: 1 article (01/2022)
5.	Tigga, Ruth: 1 article (01/2022)
6.	Deiva, A: 1 article (05/2021)
7.	Jayakumar, M: 1 article (05/2021)
8.	Jayaprakash, V: 1 article (05/2021)
9.	Jose, Nisha: 1 article (05/2021)
10.	Cao, Duan-Hua: 1 article (05/2019)

Drugs and Biologics

Drugs and Important Biological Agents (IBA) related to Varicella Zoster Encephalitis:

1.	Antiviral Agents (Antivirals)IBA 01/01/1999 - "Characteristic MR features may suggest the diagnosis of varicella zoster encephalitis, enabling definitive diagnostic testing and early institution of antiviral treatment." 05/01/2019 - "The final diagnosis was varicella zoster encephalitis, which improved after antiviral therapy." 01/01/2017 - "Remarkably, in addition to supportive care, specific treatment options are available for the majority - immune-modulating therapy for those with autoimmune disorders, antiviral therapy for herpes simplex 1 and 2, and varicella-zoster encephalitis. " 02/01/1986 - "The few anecdotal reports of the use of vidarabine and acyclovir in herpes zoster encephalitis and the histopathologic evidence suggesting viral invasion of the CNS in many cases of zoster-associated neurologic syndromes makes the use of specific antiviral therapy in zoster encephalomyelitis more rational. "
2.	Vidarabine (Vira-A)FDA Link 01/01/1980 - "Herpes zoster encephalitis: successful therapy with vidarabine." 10/01/1993 - "Acyclovir-resistant herpes zoster encephalitis successfully treated with vidarabine: a case report." 02/01/1986 - "The few anecdotal reports of the use of vidarabine and acyclovir in herpes zoster encephalitis and the histopathologic evidence suggesting viral invasion of the CNS in many cases of zoster-associated neurologic syndromes makes the use of specific antiviral therapy in zoster encephalomyelitis more rational. "
3.	Acyclovir (Aciclovir)FDA LinkGeneric 10/01/2018 - "Following a diagnosis of DHZ with herpes zoster meningoencephalitis, he was treated with intravenous acyclovir. " 01/01/2017 - "Neurological deterioration in the treatment of Herpes zoster: encephalitis or neurotoxic effect of acyclovir?" 12/13/1986 - "Effectiveness of intravenous acyclovir in immunocompetent patient with herpes zoster encephalitis." 02/01/1985 - "A case of herpes zoster encephalitis which responded very rapidly to acyclovir is presented. " 01/01/2022 - "Varicella encephalitis is one such aetiology for which definitive therapy with Acyclovir is available. "
4.	DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)IBA 08/01/1995 - "Herpes zoster meningoencephalitis without rash: varicella zoster virus DNA in CSF." 10/01/1992 - "The diagnoses of the 12 patients with CNS infection who did not have HSV DNA detected in CSF included encephalitis [varicella-zoster virus (1), cytomegalovirus (1), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (1)], meningitis [Neisseria meningitidis (1), Coccidioides immitis (1), Enterovirus (1), aseptic meningitis (1)], varicella-zoster radiculitis (2), human immunodeficiency virus dementia (2), and transverse myelitis due to Epstein-Barr virus (1). "
5.	Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)FDA LinkGeneric 08/01/1991 - "The article discusses the toxicity of both oral and topical diphenhydramine use, along with the differentiation of varicella encephalitis from diphenhydramine toxicity. " 02/01/1987 - "Diphenhydramine toxicity mimicking varicella encephalitis."
6.	Chickenpox Vaccine (Vaccine, Varicella)IBA 01/01/2016 - "Varicella encephalitis hospitalisations decreased significantly, associated with high levels of varicella vaccine coverage since 2006. "
7.	Vasopressins (Vasopressin)IBA 01/01/2007 - "Presented here is a case of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) that developed in an elderly woman with single dermatomal herpes varicella zoster ophthalmicus without evidence of varicella-zoster encephalitis or dissemination. "
8.	VaccinesIBA 10/21/2022 - "AEs associated with evidence of vaccine strain varicella-zoster virus (vVZV) infection included meningitis, encephalitis, herpes zoster, and 6 deaths (all in immunocompromised persons with contraindications for vaccination). "
9.	Thymidine KinaseIBA 02/01/1991 - "A 110 bp segment of the thymidine kinase gene of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) could readily be amplified in sections from the brains of six patients with acute HSV1 encephalitis but not from those of six patients with other neurological diseases, including varicella-zoster encephalitis and herpes simplex virus type 2 encephalitis. "
10.	SteroidsIBA 09/01/2022 - "Inflammatory markers remained elevated despite high-dose steroids which prompted additional work leading to a diagnosis of varicella-zoster encephalitis. "

Therapies and Procedures

1.	Therapeutics 05/01/1988 - "[Diagnosis and therapy of varicella encephalitis]." 05/01/2019 - "The final diagnosis was varicella zoster encephalitis, which improved after antiviral therapy." 01/01/2022 - "Varicella encephalitis is one such aetiology for which definitive therapy with Acyclovir is available. " 01/01/2017 - "Remarkably, in addition to supportive care, specific treatment options are available for the majority - immune-modulating therapy for those with autoimmune disorders, antiviral therapy for herpes simplex 1 and 2, and varicella-zoster encephalitis. " 10/01/2003 - "Combination of corticosteroid and acyclovir therapies for MPA and varicella zoster encephalitis under hemodialysis were successful. "
2.	Tracheostomy 02/01/2011 - "However, tracheostomy complications caused two deaths (one early, one late) and varicella encephalitis caused another late death. "
3.	Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) 07/01/2007 - "We report a case of a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patient who developed herpes zoster encephalitis. "
4.	Renal Dialysis (Hemodialysis) 10/01/2003 - "Combination of corticosteroid and acyclovir therapies for MPA and varicella zoster encephalitis under hemodialysis were successful. "
5.	Contraindications 10/21/2022 - "AEs associated with evidence of vaccine strain varicella-zoster virus (vVZV) infection included meningitis, encephalitis, herpes zoster, and 6 deaths (all in immunocompromised persons with contraindications for vaccination). "