A CASE OF VARICELLA-ZOSTER MYELOPATHY

Introduction - Early diagnosis of neurological complications of varice lla-zoster virus (VZV) is important because of its treatability. We pe rformed polymerase chain reaction (PC) to detect VZV-DNA from the cere brospinal fluid (CSF) of a patient with myelopathy. Patient & methods - A 69-year-old man developed sensory disturbances in the lower extrem ities and bladder-bowel disturbances, followed by cutaneous zoster on his left arm. Polymerase chain reaction was applied to identify the vi ral DNA in CSF. Results - The increased antibody index of VZV and herp es simplex virus (HSV) in the CSF suggested intrathecal synthesis of I gG antibodies to these viruses. VZV-DNA was detected in the CSF by nes ted PCR, but neither HSV-1 nor HSV-2 DNA was detected in CSF. He was s uccessfully treated with acyclovir and prednisolone. Conclusion - PCR may be a useful tool for the diagnosis of VZV myelopathy.