First trimester pregnancy loss associated with varicella zoster virus infection: Histological definition of a case

• Published in: Human pathology Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 94 - 95
• Main Authors: Oyer, Calvin E, Cai, Ruya, Coughlin, John J, Singer, Don B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 1998; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Antigens, Viral - analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Chickenpox; Chickenpox - pathology; Chickenpox - transmission; Chorionic Villi - ultrastructure; Chorionic Villi - virology; embryo; Female; Fetal Death - virology; first trimester; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Herpesvirus 3, Human - isolation & purification; Humans; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Mammary gland diseases; Medical sciences; Microscopy, Electron; placenta; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - virology; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Tumors; varicella zoster virus; varicella zoster virus; embryo; placenta; VZV; first trimester; Chickenpox; Infection; Case study; Human; Immunohistochemistry; Pathology; Pregnancy disorders; Viral disease; Varicella; Female; First trimester; Electron microscopy; Abortion
• ISSN: 0046-8177; 1532-8392
• DOI: 10.1016/S0046-8177(98)90396-3

Pathological demonstration of varicella infection in first trimester aborted tissue is reported. A 24-year-old primigravida manifested chickenpox infection about 38 days after her last menstrual period or at 24 days age of the embryo. The conceptus survived another 4 to 5 weeks. The macerated embryo and placental tissue revealed nuclear changes consistent with varicella infection. Immunohistochemical stains and electron microscopy were confirmatory.