[Post-varicella acute retinal necrosis]. / Nécrose rétinienne aiguë post-varicelleuse.

ABSTRACT

A man aged 43 in good health complaints of sudden blurred vision in his right eye, 12 days after a generalized chickenpox eruption. Examination shows an intraocular inflammation with retinal necrosis in temporal periphery. The serum antibodies against varicella-zoster are positive for the IgM and IgG, confirming a recent infection by varicella zoster. Bacterial serology is negative, as well as the serology for the HSV, HIV and CMV. An intraocular production of anti varicella-zoster antibodies is also found by an anterior chamber puncture (Goldmann-Witmer ratio = 1338). A general treatment by acyclovir and corticoids is started, completed by local treatment and cryocoagulation of the retinal periphery. The evolution is favorable, with recovery of the visual acuity and cicatrization of the lesions. The severity of acute retinal necrosis as a complication of a chickenpox infection usually is moderate, with a good visual prognosis as by our patient.