Severity of varicella infection in Saudis with diabetes mellitus: a possible role of acyclovir in treatment.

Severity of varicella infection in 54 patients with diabetes mellitus seen in Arar Central Hospital, Saudi Arabia, between January 1992 and December 1994 was compared with that in 55 apparently healthy controls, seen during the same period. Persistent fever, defined as fever lasting more than five days; extensive skin eruption, defined as affecting more than 50% of the body surface; and secondary bacterial skin infection evidenced by a positive skin culture of Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes occurred significantly more in diabetics than in healthy controls. The mean duration of the illness in diabetics was 16.8 +/- 3.24 days as compared to 13.6 +/- 3.32 days in healthy controls. These findings suggest that varicella runs a more aggressive course in diabetic patients compared to otherwise healthy individuals. Treatment with the anti-viral agent, acyclovir may be indicated in diabetics with varicella infection.