COVID-19 and herpes zoster co-infection presenting with trigeminal neuropathy.
Eur J Neurol
; 27(9): 1748-1750, 2020 09.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-361390
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a human neurotropic virus that remains in a latent state within ganglionic neurons throughout the entire neuroaxis after the primary infection. When herpes zoster (HZ) leads to trigeminal involvement, the ophthalmic division is the most implicated. COVID-19 has emerged as a viral cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome that has spread all over the world in the last months. Co-infection with COVID-19 and other viruses has been reported, but sparsely, and involving the respiratory viruses.METHODS:
The case of a co-infection of COVID-19 with VZV is reported, and the literature reviewed.RESULTS:
A 39-year-old immunocompetent man presented with oligosymptomatic infection with COVID-19, which evolved to left facial HZ, affecting the three divisions of the trigeminal nerve. The co-infection was remotely registered, being the respiratory viruses, especially influenza, the most commonly cited association. However, the present case illustrates the emergence of a latent virus infection, which might be favored by the inflammatory response to the former agent (COVID-19). This reaction ascended from the nasal cavity, where trigeminal branches are also placed.CONCLUSIONS:
The emergence of latent VZV infection in this rare presentation might illustrate an effect, at least locally, of COVID-19. This virus possibly induced a retrograde reactivation of VZV in a young immunocompetent patient.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Trigeminal Nerve Diseases
/
COVID-19
/
Herpes Zoster
Type of study:
Case report
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
Eur J Neurol
Journal subject:
Neurology
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Ene.14361
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