1/51. chickenpox pneumonia: case report and literature review.The incidence of primary chickenpox infection in young adults appears to be rising in the UK and other developed countries. The infection is more severe in adults than in children and complications, including pneumonia, are more frequent. An illustrative case of severe chickenpox pneumonia in an immunocompetent, non-pregnant adult smoker is presented. The epidemiology and pathology of the disease is discussed and a review of current management in the emergency department and the intensive care unit is presented. Strategies for the prevention of chickenpox pneumonia are also discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = chickenpox (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/51. Varicella pneumonia complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome in an adult.Primary varicella infection is uncommon in adults, but carries a higher rate of morbidity and mortality than in children. pneumonia is the most common complication of primary varicella infection in adults. However, varicella pneumonia complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is very rare. We report a case of ARDS secondary to varicella pneumonia in a 26-year-old man with primary varicella. The patient was otherwise healthy and had no evidence of human immunodeficiency virus infection. The initial chest radiograph showed bilateral reticulonodular infiltrates, which quickly evolved to diffuse alveolar consolidations. Arterial blood gas analysis revealed a ratio of arterial partial pressure to fraction of inspired oxygen of 87. Abnormal liver function and thrombocytopenia were also noted. Treatment consisted of mechanical ventilatory support and intravenous administration of acyclovir. His pulmonary condition gradually improved and he was successfully weaned from the ventilator 1 week later. He was discharged on the 15th hospital day with a favorable outcome. His pulmonary function improved progressively, with normal spirometry and lung volumes, but persistent mild impairment of diffusing capacity, 6 months after discharge.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.25467148872228keywords = varicella (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/51. nitric oxide in the treatment of fulminant pulmonary failure in a young pregnant woman with varicella pneumonia.extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is the recommended treatment for fulminant pulmonary failure due to varicella pneumonia. However, in pregnancy fetal viability during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is generally poor resulting in either therapeutic or spontaneous abortion. The present case is to our knowledge the first report on the treatment with nitric oxide to improve oxygenation in a pregnant woman with fulminant pulmonary failure due to varicella pneumonia. Adding 20 parts per million nitric oxide to the inspiratory gas increased arterial oxygen saturation from 75 to 88%, and it could be kept at this level. Due to a vaginal bleeding, an emergency Caesarean section was performed with successful outcome for the fetus. The mother started to improve after delivery and could be weaned from nitric oxide after 5 days. We conclude that inhalation of nitric oxide may be a good alternative to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the treatment of fulminant pulmonary failure due to varicella pneumonia in pregnancy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.3565400842112keywords = varicella (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/51. Varicella-zoster virus detection by polymerase chain reaction using bronchoalveolar lavage specimens.We report the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques from a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimen for the successful early diagnosis in a case of atypical but severe varicella-zoster virus (VZV) pneumonitis. Atypical presentations of disseminated VZV frequently prolong the time required for accurate diagnosis, resulting in increased morbidity, or mortality. Although further investigation is necessary to determine the sensitivity and positive predictive value of this test, PCR analysis of bronchoscopic specimens may expedite the diagnosis of disseminated VZV.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.050934297744457keywords = varicella (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/51. Intravenous immunoglobulin in adult varicella pneumonia complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome.pneumonia is a rare but serious complication of varicella in adults. We report a case of a previously healthy 32-year-old man with varicella pneumonia that was complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome. He was treated successfully with acyclovir and intravenous immunoglobulin in addition to mechanical ventilation. We conclude that intravenous immunoglobulin, in combination with acyclovir, is a safe and probably effective therapy for adult varicella pneumonia that is complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.3565400842112keywords = varicella (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/51. neuroleptic malignant syndrome in pregnancy.BACKGROUND: neuroleptic malignant syndrome can be a serious neurologic complication of drug therapy during pregnancy. CASE: A young woman was admitted to the intensive care unit with worsening varicella pneumonia. After being given haldol for agitation, she developed fever, increasing agitation, rigidity, tachycardia, and tremors; she was diagnosed as having neuroleptic malignant syndrome. She was treated successfully with bromocriptine and dantrolene. CONCLUSION: Despite the common use of antipsychotic medications, neuroleptic malignant syndrome is seen infrequently during pregnancy. The diagnosis can be difficult to make, but if suspected, it can be treated successfully.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.050934297744457keywords = varicella (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/51. Varicella pneumonia in adults. A review of pulmonary manifestations, risk factors and treatment.pneumonia is a rare but serious and occasionally fatal complication of varicella. Two cases of varicella pneumonia were successfully treated with acyclovir in our department. We reviewed the pulmonary manifestations of varicella, the risk factors and the effect of acyclovir on varicella pneumonia on immunocompetent adults. Early, aggressive therapy with acyclovir seems to abort the catastrophic consequences of varicella pneumonia, while oral acyclovir chemoprophylaxis is probably beneficial in high-risk populations with chickenpox.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.58800482205562keywords = chickenpox, varicella (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/51. Infectious disease capsules: a pox on your house.A 31-year-old, previously healthy white man presented to the emergency department with complaints of malaise, fevers, shortness of breath, a non-productive cough, and a "rash." His physical exam revealed a temperature of 100.2F, a pulse of 129 bpm, respiratory rate of 14 BPM, and blood pressure of 140/74 mm Hg. He was alert, oriented, and in no distress. His oropharynx was dry, his neck was supple, and cervical lymphadenopathy was absent. He had tachycardia, bilateral wheezes, and rhonchi with prolonged expirations. There was a diffuse vesicular eruption enveloping his entire body with involvement sparing his palms and soles (Figures 1 and 2). Laboratory values showed a hemoglobin of 16.0 g/dL and a white blood cell count of 7100 cells/pL, with 39%neutrophils, 23% bands, and 35% lymphocytes. His platelet count was mildly decreased to 86,000 x 103/pL. Chest radiograph revealed bilateral diffuse interstitial infiltrates. A diagnosis of acute varicella-zoster virus pneumonia (varicella pneumonia) was made, and the patient was started on IV acyclovir (10 mg/kg every 8 hours). Upon further questioning, the patient stated that his daughter had been diagnosed with "chickenpox" 7 days ago. The patient had numerous exposures to chickenpox in the past but had never developed clinical expressions of varicella. He was not at risk for hiv infection, not having multiple sexual partners, IV drug abuse, or blood transfusions. During the 1 day of in-hospitalization, his fever abated and the pulmonary signs diminished.Following discharge, IV acyclovir was replaced by valacyclovir to complete a 7-day course of therapy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.81946955990004keywords = chickenpox, varicella (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/51. Fulminant varicella infection complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome, and disseminated intravascular coagulation in an immunocompetent young adult.Primary varicella infection in immunocompetent adults is very rare, but it has a high mortality rate because of serious complications. We describe a case of varicella infection in a previously healthy young adult complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), rhabdomyolysis, acute hepatitis and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). acyclovir was administered for varicella infection and the ARDS was successfully treated with steroidpulse therapy, hemofiltration and a mechanical respiratory support with a positive end-expiratory pressure. Early administration of antiviral agents and extensive management were thought to be necessary for such patients with severe complications.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.3565400842112keywords = varicella (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/51. Varicella pneumonia in immunocompetent adults: report of two cases, with emphasis on high-resolution computed tomography findings.We report two cases of varicella pneumonia in immunocompetent patients, with emphasis on high-resolution computer tomography manifestations. The predominant findings consisted of multiple bilateral nodules, ranging from 1-10 mm in diameter, with or without a surrounding halo of ground-glass attenuation. Other findings include ground-glass opacities, focal areas of consolidation and small pleural effusions.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.050934297744457keywords = varicella (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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