RHABDOMYOLYSIS ASSOCIATED WITH ACUTE VARICELLA INFECTION

We report two cases of intense, generalized rhabdomyolysis complicatin g varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infections, one in an adolescent and on e in a young adult male, In both cases, myoglobin uria and weakness of large muscle groups developed within 5 days of the onset of vesicular lesions, A muscle biopsy from one of the individuals showed muscle fi ber necrosis in the absence of acute inflammatory infiltrates or vascu litis. Culture of the muscle biopsy specimen for VZV was negative; how ever, the VZV genome was detected by the polymerase chain reaction. Bo th patients recovered fully after treatment with hydration therapy alo ne.