An immunoglobulin M response to varicella-zoster virus was detected in 70% of zoster patients by solid-phase radioimmunoassay, in 52% by indirect immunofluorescence, in 48% by neutralization on sucrose density gradient fractions, and in 27% by an antibody class capture enzyme immunoassay. The patients showed marked variations in their varicella-zoster virus immunoglobulin M responses detectable...

Although herpes zoster is not a reportable condition in the United States, its incidence has been inferred from a variety of studies to range from 3.2 to 4.2 per 1,000 patient-years. This incidence translates into an estimated 1 million cases of herpes zoster annually. Overall, an estimated 32% of persons in the United States will have herpes zoster during their lifetimes. In a recent populatio...

The influence of herpes zoster virus infection on cell-mediated and humoral immunity to varicella-zoster virus (VZV), cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus (HSV) was followed in 17 zoster patients from the first week to 6 months after start of eruptions. The clinical responses were registered and correlated to the immune responses. A significant depression in blast transformation on stimula...

BACKGROUND Whether exogenous exposure to varicella-zoster-virus protects individuals with latent varicella-zoster virus infection against herpes zoster by boosting immunity is not known. To test the hypothesis that contacts with children increase exposure to varicella-zoster virus and protect latently infected adults against zoster, we did a case-control study in south London, UK. METHODS Fro...

varicella-zoster viruses complications involving the cns are estimated to occur rarely, transverse myelitis after varicella-zoster virus in most patients is characterized by an abrupt onset of progressive weakness and sensory disturbance in the lower extremities , like other viruses. we describe the case of 17 year-old boy who experienced cervical transverse myelitis after chickenpox with inabi...

This article reviews specific clinical and research issues of herpes zoster related to geriatric medicine. Salient epidemiological and clinical issues include the increasing probability of zoster and postherpetic neuralgia with aging, age-related decline in immunity to varicella-zoster virus, the functional and psychosocial impact of zoster on the quality of life of the elderly, illness behavio...

After a discussion of the principles of antiviral chemotherapy, treatment and chemoprophylaxis of the following virus infections are reviewed in detail: the various manifestations of herpes simplex virus infections, varicella-zoster, cytomegalovirus infections, Epstein-Barr virus infections, laryngeal papillomas, and influenza A. Special reference is made to the treatment of immunocompromized p...

Primary infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes chickenpox (varicella) after which virus becomes latent in cranial nerve, dorsal root and autonomic ganglia along the entire neuraxis. Virus may later reactivate, causing shingles (zoster), characterized by pain and rash restricted to 1-3 dermatomes. More than 40% of zoster patients over age 60 develop postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), pain...

Herpes zoster (HZ) is caused by the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which has ability to remain latent in neural tissue. We report a case rare complication, abdominal pseudohernia, developed 63-year-old woman, partial protrusion wall due paralysis muscles.

Herpes zoster is caused by reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus that resides in a dorsal root ganglion. Herpes zoster can develop any time after a primary infection. Because varicella vaccine is a live attenuated virus, herpes zoster can develop in a vaccine recipient. The incidence of herpes zoster among vaccine recipients is about 14 cases per 100,000 person-years. In young children,...