Diseases

Varicella Zoster Encephalitis

Inflammation of brain tissue caused by infection with the varicella-zoster virus (HERPESVIRUS 3, HUMAN). This condition is associated with immunocompromised states, including the ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME. Pathologically, the virus tends to induce a vasculopathy and infect oligodendrocytes and ependymal cells, leading to CEREBRAL INFARCTION, multifocal regions of demyelination, and periventricular necrosis. Manifestations of varicella encephalitis usually occur 5-7 days after onset of HERPES ZOSTER and include HEADACHE; VOMITING; lethargy; focal neurologic deficits; FEVER; and COMA. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1996, Ch 26, pp29-32; Hum Pathol 1996 Sep;27(9):927-38)

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Inflammation of brain tissue caused by infection with the varicella-zoster virus (HERPESVIRUS 3, HUMAN). This condition is associated with immunocompromised states, including the ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME. Pathologically, the virus tends to induce a vasculopathy and infect oligodendrocytes and ependymal cells, leading to CEREBRAL INFARCTION, multifocal regions of demyelination, and periventricular necrosis. Manifestations of varicella encephalitis usually occur 5-7 days after onset of HERPES ZOSTER and include HEADACHE; VOMITING; lethargy; focal neurologic deficits; FEVER; and COMA. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1996, Ch 26, pp29-32; Hum Pathol 1996 Sep;27(9):927-38)

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

Knowledge Graph

Loading graph…

Drag nodes to rearrange; hover to trace links; click a node to open its page.

MeSH Record

Synonyms

13 entry terms
  • Encephalitis, Herpes Zoster
  • Encephalitis, Human Herpesvirus 3
  • Encephalitis, VZ Virus
  • Encephalitis, Varicella
  • Encephalitis, Varicella Zoster
  • Herpes Zoster Encephalitis
  • Varicella Encephalitis
  • Varicella Encephalitides
  • Virus Encephalitis, VZ
  • Zoster Encephalitis, Herpes
  • Zoster Encephalitis, Varicella
  • Herpes Zoster Meningoencephalitis
  • Meningoencephalitis, Herpes Zoster

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

36 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemically induced, classification, complications, congenital, diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, diet therapy, drug therapy, economics, embryology, enzymology, epidemiology, ethnology, etiology, genetics, history, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, mortality, nursing, parasitology, pathology, physiopathology, prevention & control, psychology, radiotherapy, rehabilitation, surgery, therapy, transmission, urine, veterinary, virology.

MeSH Record

History Note

2000

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Encephalitis (1966-1999)
  • Herpes Zoster (1966-1999)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. C01w.207w.245w.340w.400
  2. C01w.207w.399.750w.400
  3. C01w.925w.182w.525w.400
  4. C01w.925w.256.466.930.500
  5. C10w.228w.140w.430w.520.750w.400
  6. C10w.228w.228w.245w.340w.400
  7. C10w.228w.228w.399.750w.400
  8. C10w.586.250w.520.750w.400

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Varicella Zoster Encephalitis. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D020804. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D020804
  2. Varicella Zoster Encephalitis. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18928359