Review
Virology
Wayne L. Gray
Summary: This article discusses the similarities and differences between varicella zoster virus (VZV) and simian varicella virus (SVV) in causing chickenpox and herpes zoster, as well as their similarities and differences in genome. The gene expression during viral latency is also described, along with the evolutionary relationship between these two viruses.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kevin M. Bakker, Marisa C. Eisenberg, Robert Woods, Micaela E. Martinez
Summary: By studying the notifications of chickenpox and shingles in Thailand, it was found that both diseases have strong seasonal incidences, with a 3-month lag between the peak transmission season of chickenpox and the peak reactivation of shingles. The study utilized 14 mathematical models to examine the biological drivers of chickenpox and shingles, estimating rates of VZV transmission, reactivation, and immunity-boosting, with a focus on understanding the underlying mechanisms of the seasonal cycles of the two diseases.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Shivam K. Purohit, Alexandra J. Corbett, Barry Slobedman, Allison Abendroth
Summary: This study demonstrates that mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are susceptible to varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection and exhibit changes in the expression of functional markers. Infected MAIT cells are capable of transferring infectious virus to other permissive cells and retain the ability to migrate and activate in skin sites.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Ann. M. M. Arvin
Summary: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes chicken pox through direct contact with skin lesions and respiratory droplets. Understanding VZV pathogenesis before adaptive immunity is induced has been challenging. Research has revealed diverse mechanisms by which VZV achieves high prevalence and persistence in humans.
MICROBIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Virology
Ravi Mahalingam, Brittany Feia, Colin Coleman, Kusala Anupindi, Pratush Saravanan, Amalia Luthens, Amalia Bustillos, Arpita Das, Eileen de Haro, Lara Doyle-Meyers, Jayme Looper, Andrew N. Bubak, Christy S. Niemeyer, Brent Palmer, Maria A. Nagel, Vicki Traina-Dorge
Summary: Nonhuman primates are valuable animal models for studying varicella zoster virus disease. This study found that both SVV DNA and antigens can be detected in skin lesions during varicella and zoster, providing the basis for further research on SVV skin pathogenesis.
Article
Immunology
Anne A. Gershon, Michael D. Gershon, Eugene D. Shapiro
Summary: The development and application of the varicella vaccine has brought significant health benefits to children and immunocompromised patients worldwide, reducing the incidence of varicella as well as decreasing the incidence of herpes zoster. Additionally, the vaccine provides protection against the varicella-zoster virus and offers an extra layer of prevention for susceptible adults.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
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
Chemistry, Medicinal
Subin Park, Na-Eun Kim, Bang Ju Park, Hak Cheol Kwon, Yoon-Jae Song
Summary: Kaempferol, a natural compound with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, was found to significantly inhibit varicella-zoster virus replication in vitro without cytotoxicity. It exerts its antiviral effect by blocking viral DNA replication stage.
Article
Microbiology
Tomohiko Sadaoka, Daniel P. Depledge, Labchan Rajbhandari, Judith Breuer, Arun Venkatesan, Jeffrey Cohen
Summary: The variant allele in the glycoprotein B (gB) gene plays a crucial role in the attenuation of the varicella vaccine. This variant impairs fusion, virus entry into neurons, and replication in human skin cells. Understanding the molecular basis for vaccine attenuation could aid in the development of other herpesvirus vaccines.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Kevin M. Bakker, Marisa C. Eisenberg, Robert J. Woods, Micaela E. Martinez
Summary: This study examines the long-term impacts of chickenpox and shingles vaccination. Simulations show that introducing the chickenpox vaccine decreases chickenpox incidence, but high coverage levels may increase shingles incidence. Targeting moderate chickenpox vaccine coverage can minimize the burden of shingles.
Review
Virology
Peter G. E. Kennedy
Summary: Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) is a pathogenic alpha herpes virus that causes chickenpox and shingles. In addition to shingles, VZV reactivation can lead to post-herpetic neuralgia and various other neurological conditions such as vasculopathy, giant cell arteritis, segmental motor weakness, myelitis, cranial nerve syndromes, Guillain-Barre syndrome, meningoencephalitis, and zoster sine herpete. However, the limited number of reported cases and the issue of causation when neurological conditions occur without the presence of a shingles rash complicate the field.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Tian Tao, Jun Chen, Kunlan Long, Lijia Zhi, Song Zhang, Shuqin Liu, Yuexian Ma, Hong Yan, Lizeyu Lv, Yue Xu, Ling Wu, Liangbin Zhao, Peiyang Gao
Summary: Meningoencephalomyelitis and visceral dissemination infection are rare but life-threatening complications of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in immunocompromised patients. This study reports a case of a 23-year-old male with lupus nephritis who developed VZV meningoencephalomyelitis and visceral disseminated VZV infection. The patient received intravenous acyclovir and other supportive treatments, but did not show improvement and eventually abandoned therapy due to financial constraints.
Article
Immunology
Ann M. Arvin
Summary: This article summarizes the use of novel methods to explore the genetics, pathogenesis, and immunogenicity of the varicella vaccine compared to wild-type varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Through these investigations, a mechanism-based understanding of the safety and efficacy of the varicella vaccine has been achieved.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jonny Hertzog, Wen Zhou, Gerissa Fowler, Rachel E. Rigby, Anne Bridgeman, Henry Tw Blest, Chiara Cursi, Lise Chauveau, Tamara Davenne, Benjamin E. Warner, Paul R. Kinchington, Philip J. Kranzusch, Jan Rehwinkel
Summary: Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) infection induces type I interferon (IFN) production through the cGAS/STING DNA sensing pathway, while VZV tegument protein ORF9 functions as an antagonist of cGAS, restricting VZV replication.
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
Ophthalmology
Erin M. Buckingham, Maria A. Foley, Charles Grose, Nasreen A. Syed, Morton E. Smith, Todd P. Margolis, Matthew J. Thurtell, Randy Kardon
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Amaran Moodley, Jack Swanson, Charles Grose, Daniel J. Bonthius
JOURNAL OF CHILD NEUROLOGY
(2019)
Article
Virology
James H. Girsch, Katherine Walters, Wallen Jackson, Charles Grose
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2019)
Editorial Material
Virology
Charles Grose, Lynn W. Enquist
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2020)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Veena Ramachandran, Stephen C. Elliott, Kathie L. Rogers, Randall J. Cohrs, Miles Weinberger, Wallen Jackson, John E. Carpenter, Charles Grose, Daniel J. Bonthius
JOURNAL OF CHILD NEUROLOGY
(2020)
Article
Virology
James H. Girsch, Wallen Jackson, John E. Carpenter, Thomas O. Moninger, Keith W. Jarosinski, Charles Grose
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2020)
Review
Virology
Ethan H. Heusel, Charles Grose
Review
Immunology
Nathan B. Price, Charles Grose
Summary: Corticosteroids, especially in high dosages, may increase the risk of serious adverse events following live varicella and zoster vaccination. Studies have shown that patients receiving corticosteroids after vaccination are more prone to severe infectious complications, highlighting the importance of monitoring for such risks in clinical practice.
Editorial Material
Ophthalmology
Nasreen A. Syed, Charles Grose
JAMA OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2021)
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Nathan B. Price, Charles Grose
Editorial Material
Pediatrics
Charles Grose
Article
Virology
Prashanth S. Ramachandran, Michael R. Wilson, Gaud Catho, Geraldine Blanchard-Rohner, Nicoline Schiess, Randall J. Cohrs, David Boutolleau, Sonia Burrel, Tetsushi Yoshikawa, Anne Wapniarski, Ethan H. Heusel, John E. Carpenter, Wallen Jackson, Bradley A. Ford, Charles Grose
Summary: This study reported two cases of vaccine meningitis in immunocompetent children who had received varicella vaccine, and further investigations revealed a potential risk factor associated with vaccine meningitis.
Editorial Material
Virology
Charles Grose, Joel Rovnak, Ravi Mahalingam
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Mackenzie M. Shipley, Daniel W. Renner, Utsav Pandey, Bradley Ford, David C. Bloom, Charles Grose, Moriah L. Szpara
COLD SPRING HARBOR MOLECULAR CASE STUDIES
(2019)