Isolated intestinal manifestation of an invasive varicella zoster virus reactivation in an immunocompromised patient: a case report

Invasive varicella zoster infection is a rare but severe infectious disease, potentially affecting almost every organ system and presenting with a variety of symptoms. It is usually seen in immunocompromised patients, but also occurs in immunocompetent patients. Isolated intestinal manifestations without skin lesions are even more scarce. We present a case of a 78-year old immunocompromised man with an isolated intestinal Varicella Zoster reactivation. If not early diagnosed and treated, an invasive infection can lead to life-threatening complications. Therefore, awareness in both immunocompromised as immunocompetent patients is very important in the daily clinical practice.

Keywords: varicella zoster, herpes zoster, abdominal pain, immunity, immunosuppression, corticosteroids.