Immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) were measured in sera from subjects with acute varicella and herpes zoster, VZV-immune subjects remote from infection, and recipients of a live attenuated varicella vaccine, using a solid-phase radioimmunoassay. Primary infection with VZV was associated with early production of IgA antibodies. Among 36 subjects with varicella tes...

AIMS To assess the cost-effectiveness of varicella vaccination, taking into account its impact on zoster. METHODS An age structured transmission dynamic model was used to predict the future incidence of varicella and zoster. Data from national and sentinel surveillance systems were used to estimate age specific physician consultation, hospitalisation, and mortality rates. Unit costs, taken fr...

Varicella zoster virus lies dormant in the dorsal root ganglia after symptomatic chicken pox infection, usually in childhood. If the virus reactivates in the trigeminal ganglia, it can cause varicella zoster ophthalmicus, which can have severe ocular complications. We report a case of a 73-year-old woman in severe immunosuppression due to treatment with mycophenolate mofetil, glucocorticosteroi...

Varicella-zoster virus was serially propagated in a chemically transformed and cloned line of embryo cells (designated "104 C1") derived from the inbred strain 2 guinea pig. When strain 2 guinea pigs were immunized with varicella-zoster virus subcultivated in the syngeneic cell line, they produced high-titer virus-specific antiserum which lacked antibody against cellular determinants. This immu...

Both varicella and herpes zoster (HZ) can cause severe disease in certain age groups. The cell-mediated immune (CMI) response to the varicella zoster virus (VZV) is critical in preventing a recurrence of VZV. The varicella vaccine has markedly decreased the morbidity and mortality associated with varicella, but concerns linger about the cost and frequency of vaccine administration and the long-...

An enzyme immunossay (EIA) was adapted for detection of antibody to varicella-zoster virus, and its sensitivity and specificity were compared with those of neutralization, immune adherence hemagglutination (IAHA), and complement fixation tests. Test sera showed little nonspecific reactivity in the EIA system, and valid results could usually be obtained at serum dilutions as low as 1:8. Demonstr...

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...

Antibody titers to varicella-zoster virus were measured in varicella-susceptible immunocompromised children 48 h after they received either one of two lots of zoster immune globulin (ZIG) or a selected lot of immune serum globulin (ISG). Globulin was given to modify varicella in these children after exposure to varicella or zoster. Indirect immunofluorescence antibody titers (FAMA) of children ...

After infection with varicella-zoster virus, HeLa and human embryo lung cells developed a receptor for the Fc portion of human and rabbit immunoglobulin G. The receptor was detected by both hemadsorption and immunofluorescence, using antibody-coated erythrocytes and heat-aggregated immunoglobulin G. However, sheep erythrocytes sensitized with F(ab')2 of anti-sheep erythrocyte antibody did not a...

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...