scholarly journals Clinical Features of Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection

Viruses ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Kennedy ◽  
Anne Gershon

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a pathogenic human herpes virus that causes varicella (chickenpox) as a primary infection, following which it becomes latent in peripheral ganglia. Decades later, the virus may reactivate either spontaneously or after a number of triggering factors to cause herpes zoster (shingles). Varicella and its complications are more severe in the immunosuppressed. The most frequent and important complication of VZV reactivation is postherpetic neuralgia, the cause of which is unknown and for which treatment is usually ineffective. Reactivation of VZV may also cause a wide variety of neurological syndromes, the most significant of which is a vasculitis, which is treated with corticosteroids and the antiviral drug acyclovir. Other VZV reactivation complications include an encephalitis, segmental motor weakness and myelopathy, cranial neuropathies, Guillain–Barré syndrome, enteric features, and zoster sine herpete, in which the viral reactivation occurs in the absence of the characteristic dermatomally distributed vesicular rash of herpes zoster. There has also been a recent association of VZV with giant cell arteritis and this interesting finding needs further corroboration. Vaccination is now available for the prevention of both varicella in children and herpes zoster in older individuals.

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suyash Dawadi ◽  
Sudesh Lamsal ◽  
Bhupendra Shah

Herpes zoster is a localized, painful, and vesicular rash involving one or adjacent dermatomes caused by varicella-zoster virus reactivation. Herpes zoster presenting as aseptic meningitis is prevalent among elderly population and people with immunocompromised status. However, it is a rare phenomenon in the young immunocompetent adult; hence, we are reporting a case of a herpes zoster infection presenting as aseptic meningitis and dermatological manifestation in a 19-year-old immunocompetent male.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 5114-5114
Author(s):  
Yin Tong ◽  
Jie Jing Qian ◽  
Ying Li ◽  
Hai Tao Meng ◽  
Jie Jin

Abstract Bortezomib has been used for patients with refractory and relapsed multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia in recent years. It has several complications. Here we report the complication of varicella herpes zoster after using bortezomib, which has higher incidence in Chinese patients. Ten patients were treated with bortezomib in our hematology centre. Among them, seven patients had refractory and relapsed multiple myeloma, two patients had refractory lymphoma (one of T cell lymphoma and one of mantle cell lymphoma) and one patient had refractory acute myeloblastic leukemia. All the patients received bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2) on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 of a 3-week cycle. Patients of multiple myeloma received dexamethasone simultaneously. The combination with liposomal doxorubicin was used on the patients of lymphoma. The patient of acute myeloblastic leukemia received bortezomib in combination with Amsacrine. After one cycle, 6 patients with multiple myeloma responded to treatment (four near complete remission, two partly remission). Two patients with lymphoma reached PR. The patient with leukemia had no response. A remarkable observation in our treatment was the high incidence of varicella herpes zoster. Six out of ten patients developed varicella herpes zoster. Among the six patients, two patients had previous infection of the zoster virus before. Most of the patients had the varicella herpes zoster infection after the complete of one cycle of bortezomib and were disappeared within one month by the use of antiviral treatment. The incidence of varicella hepers zoster after bortezomib was around 13% as reported. But the higher incidence of varicella herpes zoster were observed in our patients. Six of ten patients (60%) developed varicella zoster virus infection during treatment. We considered that the Chinese patients may be more liable to varicella zoster virus infection. And further observations should be made in the future. Prophylactic antiviral medication might be used in predisposed patients who receive bortezomib.


Author(s):  
Poorva Saxena ◽  
G. V. Ramachandra Reddy ◽  
Hina Handa ◽  
Ajita Singh

Herpes zoster represents a latent reactivation of the varicella zoster virus infection with a dermatomal pattern of eruption and complicated by post-herpetic neuralgia. Ramsay hunt syndrome is a rare complication of herpes zoster and it is not just a syndrome but it's rather an infectious disease. This syndrome is characterized by peripheral facial nerve palsy associated with an erythematous vesicular rash on the ear. It is characterized by unilateral pattern of facial involvement and presence of vesicles helps in early diagnosis and distinguish the syndrome with diseases mimicking other severe neurological diseases. This article reports a case of 56-year-old male patient who reported with a complaint of severe toothache, which serves as severe prodrome for reactivation of herpes zoster virus which later leads to Ramsay Hunt syndrome. This case report highlights about the management of herpes zoster and its complication and emphasizes on prevention of post herpetic neuralgia complication.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-61
Author(s):  
Kamran Hassan Bhatti

Background Acute urinary retention following primary varicella-zoster virus infection (chickenpox) is very rare. Case Presentation We present a case of 34 years old male patient presented with acute urinary retention following primary varicella-zoster virus infection (chickenpox), there was no lesion detected neither by MRI brain nor whole spinal cord imaging. There was a typical blistering rash over the face, trunk, back and upper limbs but sparing the perennial and perianal area. Conclusion Once herpes zoster is found in lumbar lumbosacral region be alert there is possibility of voiding dysfunction like acute retention of urine. The effective treatment plan includes antiviral therapy and urethral catheterization. Most of urological symptoms due to herpes zoster subsides in the very short duration with active guideline treatment. Keywords: Varicella-zoster virus infection; Blister-like rash; Acute urinary retention.


2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 53-56
Author(s):  
AKM Rejaul Haque ◽  
A Sultana ◽  
A Habib ◽  
ASM Zakaria

Herpes zoster (commonly referred to as "shingles") results .from reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus infection, or chickenpox. Were as varicella is generally a disease of childhood, herpes zoster becomes more common with increasing age Factors that decrease immune function, such as human immunodeficiency virus infection, chemotherapv, malignancies and chronic corticosteroid use, may also increase the risk of developing herpes zoster. Reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus from dorsal root ganglia is responsible.for lhe classic dermatomal rash and pain that occur with herpes zoster. Burning pain typically precedes the rash by several days and can persist for several months after the rash resolves. With post herpetic neuralgia, a complication of herpes zoster, pain may persist well after resolution of the rash and can be highly debilitating. Although the diagnosis of the conditions is generally straightforward, treatment can be frustrating for the patient and physician. Approaches to management include treatment of the herpes zoster infection and associated pain, prevention of post herpetic neuralgia, and control of the neuropathic pain until the condition resolves. Herpes zoster is contagious to those who have not had varicella or have not received the varicella vaccine. The role of the varicella vaccine in preventing herpes zoster is uncertain, but is being studied. The management of herpes zoster is challenging because many patients develop troublesome complication. So, appropriate management o/'herpes zoster is very important to avoid complication. On the other hand prevention is better than cure. Immunization with varicella zoster virus vaccine may boost humoral and cell mediated and decrease the incidence of zoster in population. So effectiveness of a vaccination program need to be evaluated. immunity DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmj.v41i3.18961 Bangladesh Medical Journal 2012 Vol.41(3): 53-56


Author(s):  
R.T. Ross ◽  
L.E. Nicolle ◽  
M.R. Dawood ◽  
Mary Cheang ◽  
C. Feschuk

ABSTRACT:Background:We previously showed that Manitoba Hutterites seek physician care for varicella zoster virus infection significantly less than non-Hutterites. The current study was undertaken to measure varicella zoster virus seroprevalence for Hutterite and non-Hutterite controls.Methods:Blood was obtained from 315 Hutterites and 259 similar age and sex controls at the time of blood donations to The Canadian Red Cross Society. The controls were from the same or a contiguous postal code area and were collected at the same time as the Hutterite samples. The immune status of the specimens was determined by the ELISA method (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay).Results:Twenty-eight per cent of 315 Hutterites had no immunity and an additional 25% had only marginal immunity. Among the 259 controls, 10% had no immunity and an additional 10% had only marginal immunity (p < .0001).Conclusions:Manitoba Hutterites have significantly decreased seroprevalence to varicella zoster virus infection. This study of serum varicella zoster virus antibodies verifies a previous population based study that demonstrated the relative rarity of varicella and herpes zoster among a particular population group.


2021 ◽  
pp. 253-261
Author(s):  
Buwei Yu

Background: Herpes zoster is an acute infectious skin disease that is induced by the re-activation of the virus incubated in nerve ganglions following initial infection with varicella-zoster virus in childhood. Herpes zoster mainly affects sensory nerves, resulting in severe acute pain, which is also the most common reason for medical intervention in this patient group. The concurrent involvement of motor nerves could induce the symptoms of segmental zoster paresis, which is manifested by localized asymmetric myasthenia, whose range generally follows the distribution of myomere with skin rashes. Due to the low incidence and unspecific clinical manifestations, segmental zoster paresis has not been sufficiently recognized by clinicians, and can easily be misdiagnosed. Objective: To summarize the previous studies on segmental zoster paresis and analyze the pathogeneses, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease, as well as stress the challenges in current treatment, which could provide useful evidence for the clinical diagnosis and better the treatment of patients with segmental zoster paresis in the future. Study Design: We conducted a narrative review. Setting: Hospitals, neurology departments, pain departments, and private practices. Methods: We searched PubMed and Chinese CNKI libraries using the terms “herpes zoster,” “muscle paresis,” “segmental zoster paresis,” and “motor nerve.” Clinical trials, reviews, and case reports were collected and reviewed. Results: As a rare complication following varicella-zoster virus infection, segmental zoster paresis has not been sufficiently recognized by clinicians, and there are still no guidelines available to guide the clinical treatments. The exact mechanism of segmental zoster paresis is still unclear. Electromyographic and magnetic resonance imaging examinations could be used as auxiliary diagnostic methods for segmental zoster paresis. Early regular anti-viral therapy could substantially decrease the risk of herpes zoster related complications. Combined application of glucocorticoids and some other physical therapy may also be useful in certain patients. The general prognosis of segmental zoster paresis is relatively good, with 67% patients achieving complete or almost complete recovery of the muscle function. Limitations: More clinical trials are needed to clarify the exact mechanisms and best treating methods. Conclusion: As the symptom in most segmental zoster paresis patients is self-limited, and the patients’ prognosis is generally good, early diagnosis of the disease is especially important, due to the avoidance of unnecessary diagnostic procedures and incorrect treatments. Standard treatment guidelines regarding the functional rehabilitation are still needed for patients with refractory segmental zoster paresis. Key words: Herpes zoster, postherpetic neuralgia, segmental zoster paresis, muscle strength, motor nerve, spinal dorsal ganglion, zoster infection, muscle paresis


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