Varicella pneumonia in an immunocompromised adult: Not always fatal !

Abstract

Chickenpox is a very common and usually mild rash disease in healthy children. In adults especially immunocompromised, its course may be punctuated by serious complications such as varicella pneumonia. Herein we report a case of a 48-yearold male patient followed for stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma treated by the BEACOPPR protocol and referred for severe pneumonia varicella. Radiologic exploration showed multiple bilateral micronodular and reticulonodular opacities, diffuse throughout the lungs. Laboratory exams revealed g severe hypoxemia and pancytopenia. The patient received antiviral treatment acyclovir (10 mg/kg/8 hours) intravenously, combined with oxygen therapy via nasal cannula on 5 L/ min and prednisone 60mg per day for 5days with favorable evolution.