Atypical VZV Retinitis in a Patient with Good Syndrome

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To describe atypical varicella zoster virus (VZV) retinitis in a patient with Good syndrome.

Methods: A 63-year-old patient with Good syndrome presented with bilateral necrotizing retinitis starting from the posterior pole. He had a history of thymoma status post thymectomy 4 years previously, left-sided sinusitis, and recent pulmonary aspergillosis. Qualitative PCR was performed on aqueous fluid.

Results: Immunological investigations revealed reduced levels of CD4⁺ T cells and immunoglobulins. Qualitative PCR was positive for VZV and negative for cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1, and HSV-2. The patient was treated with oral valacyclovir and three courses of immunoglobulin supplementation. The atypical retinitis showed improvement after therapy.

Conclusion: Good syndrome should be considered in a patient with opportunistic infections and history of thymoma in the absence of human immunodeficiency virus. Atypical retinitis can occur in patients with Good syndrome and quantitative PCR is important for accurate diagnosis.

Keywords:

• Good syndrome
• progressive outer retinal necrosis
• thymoma
• VZV retinitis

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank Tina Shiang, BA, for critical reading and editing of this manuscript.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

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