Acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by varicella pneumonia in immunocompetent adult: Clinical case

Aabdi, Mohammed; Hamza, Mimouni; Moussa, Lezreg; Houssam, Bkiyar; Brahim, Housni

INTRODUCTION: Varicella zona infection is a rare condition in immunocompetent adults. It can lead to severe and lethal complications including Varicella pneumonia that can rapidly progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome a rare and life-threatening situation. CLINICAL CASE: A 63 years old man was admitted to the intensive care unit for pneumonia with generalized papulovesicular lesions. After investigations, the diagnosis of Varicella pneumonia complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome was maintained and the patient was put on mechanical ventilation, and despite proper management (antiviral treatment; protective ventilation and prone position) the patient died 48 hours after his admission. CONCLUSION: Despite its rarity, Varicella pneumonia can be a life-threatening situation in immunocompetent adults. The diagnosis must be evoked when the patient presented with respiratory manifestations with dermatologic lesions.