To the Editor.— Several observations link varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infections to CNS vasculitis. Localized arteritis1and widespread granulomatous angiitis2have been reported to be preceded by a zoster eruption, and viruslike particles of the herpes type were found in vessel walls in a case of granulomatous angiitis.3We have detected high levels of anti-VZV antibodies in the CSF of a patient with CNS vasculitis. Report of a Case.— A 38-year-old man had been given radiotherapy and chemotherapy for six months because of Hodgkin's disease. In May 1980, during clinical remission and without previous vesicular eruption, he manifested fever, mental confusion, and seizures, followed by sudden back pain and paraplegia. In June, when examined at La Fe Hospital (Valencia, Spain), he remained febrile, confused, and disoriented. His neck was stiff, and there was vertical and horizontal nystagmus, left supranuclear facial paresis, left upper-limb paresis, and paraplegia with anesthesia
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Vílchez et al. (1982) studied this question.