Two cases of varicella zoster virus meningitis found in pediatric patients after bone marrow transplantation despite valaciclovir prophylaxis and without skin lesions

Abstract

Two cases of varicella zoster virus (VZV) meningitis are described in an 18-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy. They occurred, respectively, 9 days and 9 months after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. VZV nucleic acid was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid during the 1st week of illness. This recurrence occurred despite valaciclovir prophylaxis and without skin lesions. The two patients received aciclovir intravenously and immunoglobulins infusion. They responded to treatment and their clinical state improved rapidly.