Abstract
We report a case of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reinfection associated with pharyngolaryngitis. An 80-year-old male patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis was under treatment with steroids and antirheumatic drugs. The pharyngitis was followed by stomatitis in a few days, and within a week, a rash had appeared in the trunk area. He was admitted to our hospital with high fever and respiratory failure, and a stridor was audible in the neck area. Because of laryngeal edema, tracheal intubation was performed. Conglutinated papules and water blisters appeared in the neck and trunk, and the Tzanck test was positive. The diagnosis was varicella, and the first examination, only the immunoglobulin (Ig) G viral antibody titers were elevated; however, in the examination conducted 2 weeks later, both IgM and IgG antibody titers were elevated, which was considered to be reflective of reinfection with varicella. VZV causes varicella at the initial infection, subsequently, never develop the varicella again because of the specific immune. Adults under going immunosuppressive therapy may be at an increased risk of VZV reinfection.
