ACTA FAC MED NAISS 2024;41(2):272-278

Case report

UDC: 616.914:[616.98:578.834
DOI: 10.5937/afmnai41-43726

Running title: Co-Infection with SARS-CoV-2

 A Co-Infection of Primary Varicella and COVID-19:
A Case Report

Irfan Ćorović^1,2, Emina Ćorović Ličina³, Bojana Simović Marković¹, Selma Habibović⁴,
Ahmo Habibović⁵, Samir Vučelj², Lejla Ćeranić⁶

¹University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Kragujevac, Serbia
²General Hospital of Novi Pazar, Department of Internal medicine, Novi Pazar, Serbia
³General Hospital of Novi Pazar, Department of Neurology Novi Pazar, Serbia
⁴Public Health Institute of Novi Pazar, Department of Microbiology Novi Pazar, Serbia
⁵General Hospital of Novi Pazar, Department of Radiology Novi Pazar, Serbia
⁶General Hospital of Novi Pazar, Department of Infectious Diseases, Novi Pazar, Serbia

 SUMMARY

Introduction. Primary varicella usually occurs in childhood and is generally self-limiting. In adults and immunocompromised individuals, it can have a more serious course. Obesity is one of the risk factors for a severe COVID-19 infection that can lead to immunosuppression among other systemic complications. This case report aims to present a rare co-infection of varicella-zoster virus and SARS-CoV-2 in an adult, as well as to evaluate the impact of this co-infection on the progression and severity of both diseases in order to highlight the significance of antiviral therapy in treating both infections.

Case report. We report a case of a 34-year-old obese woman with varicella-zoster virus and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection who was successfully treated with oral acyclovir and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir without developing significant complications.

Conclusion. Currently, there is not enough evidence to claim that co-infection with varicella-zoster virus and SARS-CoV-2 increases the chances of a more severe form of either of these infections. With effective antiviral therapy, it is possible to significantly reduce the chances of developing more severe forms of both infections, which physicians need to be aware of in case they come across it and respond promptly.

Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, primary varicella, varicella-zoster virus