Adjuvant treatment of severe varicella pneumonia with intravenous varicella zoster virus-specific immunoglobulins

Abstract

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) pneumonia is associated with significant mortality, especially in the immunocompromised host. VZV-specific immunoglobulins (VZIG) are currently used as post-exposure prophylaxis for at-risk patients, but not as adjunctive therapy. A novel case of VZV pneumonia in an immunocompromised patient, treated successfully with intravenous VZIG in combination with acyclovir, is reported here. Keywords: Varicella zoster virus, Pneumonia, Immunocompromised host, Intravenous immunoglobulins, Intensive care unit