Pneumonia is a rare but serious complication of varicella in adults. We report a case of a previously healthy 32-year-old man with varicella pneumonia that was complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome. He was treated successfully with acyclovir and intravenous immunoglobulin in addition to mechanical ventilation. We conclude that intravenous immunoglobulin, in combination with acyclovir, is a safe and probably effective therapy for adult varicella pneumonia that is complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome
McDiarmidMWeawerVKesslerER: Hospitals and laboratories. In: Occupational and Environmental Respiratory Disease (HarberPSchenkerMBBalmesJR eds). Missouri: Mosby-Year Book Inc., 1996; pp 729–746
5.
MurrayJFMatthayMALuceJMFlickMR: An expanded definition of the adult respiratory distress syndrome. Am Rev Respir Dis1988; 138: 720–723
6.
WaringJJNeubuergerKGeeverEF: Severe forms of chickenpox in adults. Arch Intern Med1942; 69: 384–404
7.
TriebwasserJHHarrisREBryantRERhoadesER: Varicella pneumonia in adults. Report of seven cases and a review of literature. Medicine1967; 46: 409–423
8.
van der MeerJWMThompsonJTanWDVersteegJ: Treatment of chickenpox pneumonia with acyclovir. Lancet1980; 2: 473–474
9.
MerMRichardsGA: Corticosteroids in life-threatening varicella pneumonia. Chest1998; 114: 426–431
10.
De SimoneCDeloguGCorbettaG: Intravenous immunoglobulins in association with antibiotics: a therapeutic trial in septic intensive care unit patients. Crit Care Med1988; 16: 23–26
11.
ChessaLAltomonteFLeoniCSerranoJ: Intravenous human immunoglobulins in combination with antibiotics in the treatment of severe sepsis in thoracic surgery. Preliminary results. Curr Ther Res1989; 45: 488–494
12.
YuZLennonVA: Mechanism of intravenous immune globulin therapy in antibody-mediated autoimmune disease. N Engl J Med1999; 340: 227–228
13.
GattinoniLPelosiPVitaleGPesentiAD'AndreaLMascheroniD: Body position changes redistribute computed-tomographic density in patients with acute respiratory failure. Anesthesiology1991; 74: 15–23
