RECURRENT VARICELLA-ZOSTER VIRUS RETINITIS IN A PATIENT TREATED WITH SYSTEMIC CORTICOSTEROIDS

A case of recurrent unilateral varicella-zoster virus (VZV) retinitis is reported. The retinitis was characterized by arteriolitis and retin al necrosis with secondary chorioretinal atrophy localized in the peri phery of the supratemporal quadrant of the retina. Polymerase chain re action analysis of aqueous humor demonstrated VZV DNA in both the init ial and recurrent episode. The Goldmann-Witmer coefficient for VZV IgG was elevated. The initial VZV retinitis was successfully treated with acyclovir and corticosteroids. Three years later, high-dose corticost eroids alone were used to treat idiopathic facial nerve palsy. One mon th after concluding corticosteroids therapy, the VZV retinitis recurre d in the same eye, suggesting that administration of the high-dose cor ticosteroids caused VZV reactivation and induced recurrence of VZV ret initis.