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
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)
Article
Microbiology
Shirley E. Braspenning, Georges M. G. M. Verjans, Tamana Mehraban, Ilhem Messaoudi, Daniel P. Depledge, Werner J. D. Ouwendijk
Summary: This study annotates the transcriptome of simian varicella virus (SVV) in African green monkey and rhesus macaque cells, revealing numerous RNA isoforms, splicing events, and non-coding RNAs unique to SVV. The expression of canonical and newly identified SVV transcripts was verified in vivo, and a detailed characterization of the SVV homolog of the VZV latency-associated transcript highlighted conservation between SVV and VZV core exons. The complexity of SVV gene expression and insights into lytic and latent SVV infection were further elucidated, underscoring the value of the SVV non-human primate model for developing strategies against herpes zoster.
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
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.
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
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
Peter G. E. Kennedy, Trine H. Mogensen, Randall J. Cohrs
Summary: The article discusses the restricted viral gene transcription and epigenetic regulation during Varicella-zoster virus latency, as well as the increasing interest in immunological aspects of VZV latency and reactivation in recent years.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Laura Gobbi, Francesca Katiana Martino, Elena Sgro, Federico Nalesso, Lorenzo A. Calo
Summary: Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) infection can cause severe complications in adults and immunocompromised individuals. Hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal disease are at a higher risk of VZV infections and reactivation due to their weakened immune system. Vaccination against VZV, particularly with Recombinant Zoster Vaccine (RZV), is a recommended preventive measure for these patients.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Review
Virology
Cristina Tommasi, Judith Breuer
Summary: The replication of varicella-zoster virus in the skin plays a critical role in its pathogenesis and spread. Understanding the virus's interaction with host signaling pathways and proteins associated with epidermal terminal differentiation is essential for studying viral replication and shedding, as well as developing vaccines.
Article
Virology
Peter G. E. Kennedy, Paul Montague
Summary: Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV), a human herpes virus, causes varicella and shingles. Understanding the gene expression of VZV during latency is crucial. Recent studies using RNA-Seq technology on human trigeminal ganglia at 6 hours post-mortem revealed a novel latency-associated VZV transcript, which can induce viral gene expression.
Article
Immunology
Omid Rezahosseini, Soren Schwartz Sorensen, Michael Perch, Christina Ekenberg, Dina Leth Moller, Andreas Dehlbaek Knudsen, Nikolai Kirkby, Jens Lundgren, Isabelle P. Lodding, Neval Ete Wareham, Finn Gustafsson, Allan Rasmussen, Susanne Dam Nielsen
Summary: A significant proportion of adult solid organ transplant recipients are seronegative for at least one of the MMRV viruses. Post-transplant, some recipients may develop vaccine-related seroconversion. Vaccination is crucial for the health of SOT recipients.
CLINICAL 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
Medicine, General & Internal
Antoine Berar, Samuel Ardois, Patricia Walter-Moraux, Marc-Antoine Jegonday, Basile Henriot
Summary: A 57-year-old immunocompromised woman with severe acute pancreatitis was diagnosed with primary varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Treatment with aciclovir resulted in favorable outcomes for the patient's acute pancreatitis and biological abnormalities.
Article
Immunology
Lars H. Omland, Hanne T. Vestergaard, Ram B. Dessau, Jacob Bodilsen, Nanna S. Andersen, Claus B. Christiansen, Svend Ellermann-Eriksen, Lene Nielsen, Christian O. Andersen, Anne-Mette Lebech, Niels Obel
Summary: The study found that immunosuppression and comorbidity are associated with an increased risk of detecting VZV DNA in the CSF, which is related to increased mortality and neurological morbidity.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)