Background Varicella pneumonia that results in respiratory failure or progresses to the
institution of mechanical ventilation carries a significant morbidity and mortality despite
intensive respiratory support and antiviral therapy. There has been no reported study of the
role of corticosteroids in life-threatening varicella pneumonia. Design and methods This was
an uncontrolled retrospective and prospective study of all adult patients with a diagnosis of
varicella pneumonia who were admitted to the ICUs of the Johannesburg group of academic …