• M Sans, J M Gatell, M Rafel, J Mallolas, and E Soriano.
• Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, Barcelona.
• Enferm. Infecc. Microbiol. Clin. 1994 Jan 1; 12 (1): 26-30.

BackgroundInfection by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is frequent in patients infected by the HIV-1. Nonetheless, visceral involvement in addition to that of pneumonia is rare, despite the important immune dysfunction found among these patients.MethodsVaricella pneumonia was diagnosed in 2 patients with HIV-1 infection who presented cough with high fever and a characteristic rash in addition to respiratory failure and a micronodular pattern on chest radiography. The medical literature is reviewed (MEDLINE).ResultsAn excellent clinical response was achieved with endovenous acyclovir treatment.ConclusionsThe authors underline how rare is varicella pneumonia in patients with HIV-1 infection. The appearance of a pustulous vesicular rash in the context of a febrile episode leads to suspicion of this diagnosis. The treatment of choice is endovenous acyclovir (5 mg/kg/8 h). Varicella pneumonia has also been described in children with HIV-1 infection. The possible increase in patients with varicella pneumonia with be assessed, due to the immunosuppressive state of these patients. Patients not having been in contact with the varicella-zoster virus are particularly susceptible to presenting primoinfection by this virus.

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