Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39618739›Full record

ArticleCureus2024

Fatal Disseminated Varicella-Zoster Virus in an Immunocompetent Woman.

Matthew Donnan, Janakan Selvarajah, Hong Ky Ho, Annie Fung

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Matthew DonnanDepartment of Internal Medicine, Box Hill Hospital, Eastern Health, Melbourne, AUS.
Janakan SelvarajahDepartment of Internal Medicine, Box Hill Hospital, Eastern Health, Melbourne, AUS.
Hong Ky HoDepartment of Internal Medicine, Box Hill Hospital, Eastern Health, Melbourne, AUS.
Annie FungDepartment of Internal Medicine, Box Hill Hospital, Eastern Health, Melbourne, AUS.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Disseminated herpes zoster (DHZ), caused by the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus (VZV), is usually a condition that affects the immunocompromised population. It is uncommon in a vaccinated population. A previously well, independent 91-year-old lady with no known immunosuppressing conditions presented to the hospital with a productive cough and new confusion. Several days into her admission, she developed a cutaneous maculopapular rash, and then symptoms of headache and seizures, followed by a coma. This coincided with the development of extensive neuroimaging findings, including widespread vasogenic edema and mass effect. Despite treatment with intravenous antiviral therapy, she deteriorated and passed away, with a retrospective diagnosis of DHZ. This case illustrates rapid progression of VZV infection and potential for fatality in elderly, unvaccinated but immunocompetent individuals. It provides a reminder of the importance of maintaining a degree of clinical suspicion for the diagnosis of DHZ in those with suggestive features, especially in unvaccinated individuals.

Indexed as

clinical case reportencephalitisfatal outcomeherpes zoster vaccineimmunocompetent patientsimmunocompromised patientpneumonitisvaricella zoster reactivation disseminated herpes zostervzv encephalitisvzv vaccine

Identifiers

PMID39618739
PMCPMC11608833

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.