VARICELLA PNEUMONIA: CASE REPORT

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Abstract
A rare clinical entity produced by the varicella virus is presented as the 16th case to be reported in the American literature. An extensive, diffuse, nodular and interstitial pulmonary infiltration developed in an otherwise typical case of varicella in a 33-year-old Hawaiian male on the 6th day of illness. Symptoms were dyspnea, cyanosis, weakness, prostration and a severe cough productive of tenaceous, diffusely-blood-tinged sputum. Chest findings were minimal with scattered, fine, crepitant rales and slight diminution of breath sound transmission. The total leukocyte count remained normal, but with transient lymphocytosis. Sputum cultures yielded no bacterial pathogens. Agglutination studies for Q fever, psittacosis and primary atypical pneumonia were negative. The patient was gravely ill with respiratory insufficiency for 48 hours. Concomitant with healing of the cutaneous varicella lesions the pneumonitis subsided with complete recovery in approximately 25 days from onset of illness.

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