Journal of Neurology Research, ISSN 1923-2845 print, 1923-2853 online, Open Access
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Case Report

Volume 16, Number 1, March 2026, pages 40-44

New-Onset Human Immunodeficiency Virus Presenting as Varicella Zoster Reactivation With Central and Peripheral Nervous System Manifestations: Report of Two Cases

Figures

↓  ↓  Figure 1. Vesicular rash of case 2 extending from above the knee downwards in an L4 dermatome distribution.
Figure 1.
↓  ↓  Figure 2. Pre-contrast T1-weighted sagittal images of the L-spine (left) and post-contrast (right) with enhancement of cauda equina nerve roots.
Figure 2.

Tables

↓  Table 1. Pertinent Serum Studies From Cases 1 and 2
 
Lab (range) B12 ESR (0–15) CRP (0–0.5) CPK (29–168) HIV Ab 1 HIV Ab 2 HIV PCR (< 30 copies/mL) CD4 count Trep Ab HSV PCR blood Vesicle scraping VZV PCR
CPK: creatine phosphokinase; CRP: C-reactive protein; ESR: erythrocyte sedimentation rate; HIV PCR: human immunodeficiency virus polymerase chain reaction; Trep Ab: treponema antibody; VZV: varicella-zoster virus.
Case 1 254 73 0.06 + – 311,458 11 –
Case 2 28 0.21 51 + – 79,388 209 – – +

 

↓  Table 2. Pertinent CSF Findings From Case 1 With Reference Ranges
 
CSF NUCS CSF PROTEIN CSF GLUCOSE CSF VZV DNA CSF CYTOLOGY CSF OCB CSF IGG CSF MBP
Case 2 declined LP. CSF: cerebrospinal fluid; LP: lumbar puncture; MBP: myelin basic protein; NUCS: nucleated cells; OCB: oligoclonal bands; VZV: varicella-zoster virus.
RANGE 0–4 15–45 40–70 0–4.5 0–6
CASE 1 51 77 66 + – – 10.35 11.8