Varicella infection complicated by marked thrombocytopenia

Jpn J Infect Dis. 2014;67(4):292-4. doi: 10.7883/yoken.67.292.

Abstract

We report a rare case of adult varicella complicated by marked thrombocytopenia. A 49-year-old woman presented with fever and rash for 3 days. Blood examination revealed marked thrombocytopenia (2.7 × 10(4)/μL). Varicella infection was diagnosed after elevated levels of varicella zoster virus IgM and IgG antibodies were observed 2 weeks later. In this case, thrombocytopenia was due to varicella infection, and the mechanism was estimated to be non-immunological. Because varicella infection complicated by thrombocytopenia may result in fatal bleeding, thrombocytopenia in patients with varicella warrants close attention.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Chickenpox* / complications
  • Chickenpox* / diagnosis
  • Chickenpox* / pathology
  • Face / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Skin / pathology
  • Thrombocytopenia* / diagnosis
  • Thrombocytopenia* / etiology