Varicela progresiva con diseminación visceral en paciente con lupus eritematoso sistémico

Abstract

Varicella is a common illness in children, usually has a self-limited and benign course. However, in immunocompromised patient acquires a more severe clinical form known as progressive varicella with increased risk of visceral complications. We present a 10-years-old female patient, who during diagnostic workup of prolonged febrile illness, presents vesicular rash with hemorrhagic content evolution, umbilication at its center, itchy with universal distribution. It remains in vesicular stage until the eighth day when some injuries evolve to crusts, with persistent vesicular lesions mostly for twenty days and hepatomegaly painful on palpation. Paraclinical: Progressive elevation of transaminases. Profile immuno-rheumatic findings AAN +++ speckled pattern and ANCA ++, cytoplasmic pattern and perinuclear pattern ++, so the diagnosis of connective tissue disease under study is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. We conclude that primary varicella infection in immunocompromised patient represents a serious disease, because of high probability of visceral dissemination that may present, so it is important postexposure prophylaxis with zoster immunoglobulin or use of antivirals such as aciclovir and prevention through varicella vaccination around immunocompetent patient, and in pediatric patients with rheumatic disease before the onset of immunosuppressive therapy, as vaccination to all contacts.