Disseminated varicella complicating ulcerative colitis.

Disseminated varicella is an uncommon complication of ulcerative colitis, despite the frequent use of steroid therapy in this disorder. Fatal varicella infection occurred in a patient with ulcerative colitis who was receiving steroid therapy. This observation suggests that zoster-immunoglobulin should be administered to patients exposed to varicella with ulcerative colitis who are receiving steroid therapy.