Varicella gangrenosa with toxic shock-like syndrome due to group A streptococcus infection in an adult: case report.

Varicella gangrenosa is a rare and serious complication of chickenpox that has been described in children only. We describe a case of an adult with varicella gangrenosa that presented as necrotizing fasciitis of a limb. This infection is caused by group A streptococcal superinfection of the skin lesions due to chickenpox. It can be misdiagnosed, with fatal consequences. Because of prompt recognition and aggressive surgical and medical treatment, the patient survived without loss of the affected limb.