Review
Clinical Neurology
Lena S. S. Abbuehl, Eveline Hofmann, Arsany Hakim, Anelia Dietmann
Summary: This review provides an overview of the existing literature on herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) encephalitis, and summarizes the prognostic factors of these viral infections. The mortality rates for HSV and VZV encephalitis range from 5% to 20%, and the complete recovery rates are between 14% to 43% (HSV) and 33% to 49% (VZV). Larger and standardised observational studies with validated case definitions and outcome measures are needed to provide solid evidence for answering the research question.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Virology
Ralph Tayyar, Dora Ho
Summary: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) are alpha herpesviruses that cause recurrent infections and significant complications, especially in immunocompromised hosts. Virus-specific tests are crucial in diagnosing atypical cases. Antiviral drugs like acyclovir and valacyclovir are commonly used, with foscarnet as an alternative for resistant cases. Prophylaxis should be considered for high-risk cancer patients, and vaccines are available for preventing varicella and zoster.
Article
Ophthalmology
Marc Labetoulle, David Boutolleau, Sonia Burrel, Oscar Haigh, Antoine Rousseau
Summary: Herpes simplex virus (HSK), Varicella-Zoster virus (VZK), and Cytomegalovirus keratitis are common concerns for ophthalmologists, often leading to emergency consultations and potential vision loss. Recurrences of these viral infections increase the risk of sequelae, making tailored treatment essential to mitigate immediate consequences. Long-term antiviral therapy is recommended for patients with frequent recurrences, although the emergence of resistant viral strains poses challenges.
Article
Immunology
Arnaud G. L'Huillier, Cedric Hirzel, Victor H. Ferreira, Matthew Ierullo, Terrance Ku, Nazia Selzner, Jeffrey Schiff, Stephen Juvet, Congrong Miao, D. Scott Schmid, Atul Humar, Deepali Kumar
Summary: The study evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of RZV in VZV-seronegative SOT patients, showing that RZV elicited significant humoral and cellular immune responses, indicating its potential as a preventive strategy against primary varicella.
Article
Microbiology
Marie Ella Horstmann, Mohammad Al Hariri, Stephanie D. Grabitz, Julia Bing Bu, Melissa Apel, Norbert Pfeiffer, Joanna Wasielica-Poslednik
Summary: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, and CMV DNA in donor corneas. The results showed a higher prevalence of HSV-1 and VZV DNA in donor corneas, with no detection of HSV-2 or CMV DNA. Postoperative complications were more common in patients with positive viral DNA.
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Shaian Tavakolian, Hossein Goudarzi, Gita Eslami, Ilad Alavi Darazam, Golnaz Dehghan, Ebrahim Faghihloo
Summary: Despite medical advances, CNS diseases continue to strain the healthcare system, with infectious agents such as viruses playing a major role in accelerating conditions like meningitis. This study examined samples from 102 patients with symptoms of CNS infections, identifying a prevalence of EBV, HSV-1, and VZV, highlighting the need for further investigation into these viruses in meningitis cases.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Kanwal S. Matharu, Alex Mammen, Vishal Jhanji, Paul R. Kinchington, Regis P. Kowalski
Summary: This case report describes a patient with HSV and VZV corneal co-infection, who had systemic immunosuppression and responded well to treatment with trifluridine eye drops. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of viral co-infections in patients with systemic immunosuppression.
Article
Immunology
Hajar Besbassi, Irene Garcia-Fogeda, Mark Quinlivan, Judy Breuer, Steven Abrams, Niel Hens, Benson Ogunjimi, Philippe Beutels
Summary: Studying antibody dynamics following infection or vaccination is crucial for understanding immunological processes, vaccine development, and health policy research. This study used nonlinear mixed modeling based on ordinary differential equations to characterize varicella-zoster virus specific antibody dynamics. The results provide crucial insights for predicting the impact of vaccines.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Douglas A. Jabs, Nisha R. Acharya, Laure Caspers, Soon-Phaik Chee, Debra Goldstein, Peter McCluskey, Philip Murray, Neal Oden, Alan G. Palestine, James T. Rosenbaum, Jennifer E. Thorne, Brett E. Trusko
Summary: The study aimed to determine classification criteria for varicella zoster virus (VZV) anterior uveitis using machine learning. Through analysis of cases, key criteria for VZV anterior uveitis were identified, including unilateral anterior uveitis, positive aqueous humor polymerase chain reaction assay, and sectoral iris atrophy in patients >= 60 years of age. The criteria showed low misclassification rates and performed well in clinical and translational research.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Dana M. Cairns, Ruth F. Itzhaki, David L. Kaplan
Summary: The Varicella zoster virus (VZV) indirectly contributes to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by causing gliosis and increasing levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, VZV infection of cells quiescently infected with HSV-1 leads to the reactivation of HSV-1 and AD-like changes, including amyloid-beta and P-tau accumulation.
JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yasutaka Kuniyoshi, Haruka Tokutake, Natsuki Takahashi, Azusa Kamura, Sumie Yasuda, Makoto Tashiro
Summary: The study aimed to identify trends in hospitalizations associated with herpes zoster before and after the implementation of routine varicella vaccination program in Japan using nationally representative data. The findings showed no increase in hospitalizations for herpes zoster post-vaccination implementation, and the hospitalization rates did not rise in different age groups.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Pathology
Maria Mostyka, Jinru Shia, William L. Neumann, Christa L. Whitney-Miller, Michael Feely, Rhonda K. Yantiss
Summary: Reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus (VZV) can lead to gastrointestinal involvement, particularly in immunocompromised patients, producing unique histologic features that differ from herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. Recognition of gastrointestinal VZV infection is crucial due to its potential to progress to life-threatening disseminated disease.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SURGICAL PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Ruth Harbecke, Jeffrey Cohen, Michael N. Oxman
Summary: Herpes zoster is a common virus that affects many people, and vaccines for preventing HZ and PHN are important for older adults. Clinical trials and real-world studies have shown that the vaccines are safe and effective in preventing these conditions.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Dermatology
Takenobu Yamamoto, Yumi Aoyama
Summary: This study aimed to establish a method for detecting larger multinucleated giant cells using the Tzanck smear to increase sensitivity in detecting herpetic infections.
JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Virology
Kimiyasu Shiraki, Shinichiro Yasumoto, Nozomu Toyama, Hiroaki Fukuda
Summary: Acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir are commonly used for the treatment of herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus infections. However, recent studies have shown that amenamevir, a helicase-primase inhibitor, has novel mechanisms of action against these viruses with promising clinical efficacy. Its antiviral activity is not influenced by the viral replication cycle and has been demonstrated to be non-inferior to valacyclovir in treating herpes zoster.