BACKGROUND Herpes zoster (HZ) is caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and mainly affects individuals aged ≥50 years. The forthcoming European launch of a vaccine against HZ (Zostavax®) prompts the need for a better understanding of the epidemiology of HZ in Europe. Therefore the aim of this systematic review was to summarize the available data on HZ incidence in Europe and...

INTRODUCTION Motor paresis is a known but rare complication of herpes zoster, estimated to occur between 0% and 6% of all cases. The pathogenesis of motor involvement is poorly understood but has been reported occurring with virus reactivation in nerves of the head, trunk, and extremities. In addition, visceral motor paresis manifesting as urinary or bowel dysfunction has also been described. H...

We have performed a clinical study on a number of 53 herpes zoster patients who were hospitalized in the Infectious Diseases Hospital of Brasov in 2008. In the studied group we focused on the affected body areas, on the number of dermatomes, distribution on sexes and age groups, as well as on the possible immunodepressing factors triggered by associated chronic diseases.

Topical acyclovir has been compared with topical steroids in a coded controlled trial of the treatment of keratouveitis caused by herpes zoster in 40 patients. Topical acyclovir was significantly superior to topical steroids in terms of treatment duration (75 days to 280 days), with no recurrences after the patients were weaned off treatment; there was a 63% recurrence rate in the steroid group...

Here we report a case of optic neuritis in the setting of herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) in a child. A six-year-old girl presented with HZO in the right eye. During the hospitalization, her visual acuity decreased. Fluorescein angiography (FAG) and optical coherence tomography revealed optic neuritis in the affected eye. Visual acuity improved with one month of treatment with acyclovir and st...

Topical acyclovir has been found in 15 out of 18 patients to control, without recurrences and in an appreciably shorter time than if steroids were used, keratoconjunctivitis induced by herpes zoster. Once steroids were started, recurrences occurred during withdrawal of steroids or after they had been stopped.

T wo different forms of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) immunizations are available. Children are vaccinated with Varivax to reduce the risk of primary infection with VZV, and Zostavax is given to reduce the risk of VZV reactivation in adults. In a large prospective trial of adults older than 60 years, vaccination with Zostavax was shown to decrease the incidence of herpes zoster by 51.3% as well ...

The aetiology of most cases of lacrimation due to stenosis or obstruction of the upper lacrimal drainage system is not yet known, but in some cases it is due to infection of the lacrimal puncta and canaliculi when virus disease is localized in the eyes and eyelids. Attention has already been drawn to constriction and obstruction of the lacrimal puncta and canaliculi in ophthalmic vaccinia (Bouz...