Characterization of Virus-specific Immune Response During Varicella Zoster Virus Encephalitis in a Young Adult.

An immunocompetent adult received corticosteroids for chest pain, which later was clinically found to be herpes zoster (HZ). She developed severe disease and rapid viral dissemination that elicited an exceptionally strong varicella zoster virus-specific B-cell and CD8 T-cell response. Clinicians should consider atypical HZ presentation prior to corticosteroid administration.