RELAPSING CHICKENPOX IN A YOUNG MAN WITH NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMA

Reinfection of previously ''immune'' patients with varicella-zoster vi rus can result in recurrent chickenpox. However, relapses of chickenpo x are not well recognized. We describe a young man with lymphoma who r apidly developed multiple, discrete relapses of chickenpox each time t herapy with acyclovir was stopped. His cutaneous infection eventually became unremitting, despite continuous treatment with acyclovir. No ev idence ever suggested visceral dissemination of varicella. The patient died suddenly; the cause of death was not determined.