A novel mutation of varicella-zoster virus associated to fatal hepatitis.

BACKGROUND: Lethal varicella in immunocompetent hosts is rare and its pathogenesis is largely unknown. The discovery of glycoprotein E (gE) mutants showing attributes consistent with increased virulence in vitro and in animal models, provided a possible molecular mechanism underlying a more aggressive virus infection. However, these mutants have never been associated with unusually severe clinical cases. OBJECTIVES: To varicella-zoster virus (VZV) mutations that correlate with increased virulence. RESULTS: We report a case of fatal hepatitis caused by a VZV bearing a novel mutation on the 3B3 monoclonal antibody epitope of gE in an immunocompetent host. CONCLUSIONS: This report describes a mutant VZV responsible for an aggressive clinical course in an immunocompetent host. Linking these severe clinical presentations of VZV infection to virus mutations might provide insights into the underlying pathogenic mechanisms.