TY - JOUR

T1 - Characteristics and Long-term Prognosis of Danish Patients With Varicella Zoster Virus Detected in Cerebrospinal Fluid Compared With the Background Population

AU - Omland, Lars H

AU - Vestergaard, Hanne T

AU - Dessau, Ram B

AU - Bodilsen, Jacob

AU - Andersen, Nanna S

AU - Christiansen, Claus B

AU - Ellermann-eriksen, Svend

AU - Nielsen, Lene

AU - Andersen, Christian Ø

AU - Lebech, Anne-mette

AU - Obel, Niels

PY - 2021/9/1

Y1 - 2021/9/1

N2 - BackgroundRisk factors for, and long-term outcomes following, detection of varicella zoster virus (VZV) DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are unknown.MethodsWe performed a nationwide population-based cohort study of all Danish residents who had VZV DNA detected in the CSF by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) between 1 January 1997 and 1 March 2016 (VZV cohort; n = 517) and an age- and sex- matched comparison cohort from the general Danish population (n = 9823). We examined potential risk factors and mortality, neurologic morbidity, psychiatric morbidity, redemptiom of prescriptions for nervous system medicine prescribed for the nervous system, and social outcomes.ResultsPrior hospital admission, redemption of immunosuppressive medicine, comorbidity, and immunosuppressive conditions were associated with detection of VZV DNA in the CSF. Mortality was increased in the VZV cohort, especially during the first year of observation and among patients with encephalitis. Patients in the VZV cohort had an increased risk of dementia and epilepsy. The redemption of antiepileptics and antidepressants was increased in the VZV cohort.ConclusionsImmunosuppression and comorbidity are associated with increased risk of detection of VZV DNA in the CSF and the condition is associated with increased mortality and neurological morbidity.

AB - BackgroundRisk factors for, and long-term outcomes following, detection of varicella zoster virus (VZV) DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are unknown.MethodsWe performed a nationwide population-based cohort study of all Danish residents who had VZV DNA detected in the CSF by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) between 1 January 1997 and 1 March 2016 (VZV cohort; n = 517) and an age- and sex- matched comparison cohort from the general Danish population (n = 9823). We examined potential risk factors and mortality, neurologic morbidity, psychiatric morbidity, redemptiom of prescriptions for nervous system medicine prescribed for the nervous system, and social outcomes.ResultsPrior hospital admission, redemption of immunosuppressive medicine, comorbidity, and immunosuppressive conditions were associated with detection of VZV DNA in the CSF. Mortality was increased in the VZV cohort, especially during the first year of observation and among patients with encephalitis. Patients in the VZV cohort had an increased risk of dementia and epilepsy. The redemption of antiepileptics and antidepressants was increased in the VZV cohort.ConclusionsImmunosuppression and comorbidity are associated with increased risk of detection of VZV DNA in the CSF and the condition is associated with increased mortality and neurological morbidity.

U2 - 10.1093/infdis/jiab013

DO - 10.1093/infdis/jiab013

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 33417703

VL - 224

SP - 850

EP - 859

JO - Journal of Infectious Diseases

JF - Journal of Infectious Diseases

SN - 0022-1899

IS - 5

ER -