Varicella zoster virus infection

Anne A Gershon; Judith Breuer; Jeffrey I Cohen; Randall J Cohrs; Michael D Gershon; Don Gilden; Charles Grose; Sophie Hambleton; Peter G E Kennedy; Michael N Oxman; Jane F Seward; Koichi Yamanishi

doi:10.1038/nrdp.2015.16

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Varicella zoster virus infection

Anne A Gershon, Judith Breuer, Jeffrey I Cohen, Randall J Cohrs, Michael D Gershon, Don Gilden, Charles Grose, Sophie Hambleton, Peter G E Kennedy, Michael N Oxman, …

Nature reviews. Disease primers, Vol.1(1), pp.15016-15016

07/02/2015

DOI: 10.1038/nrdp.2015.16

PMCID: PMC5381807

PMID: 27188665

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Abstract

Infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes varicella (chickenpox), which can be severe in immunocompromised individuals, infants and adults. Primary infection is followed by latency in ganglionic neurons. During this period, no virus particles are produced and no obvious neuronal damage occurs. Reactivation of the virus leads to virus replication, which causes zoster (shingles) in tissues innervated by the involved neurons, inflammation and cell death - a process that can lead to persistent radicular pain (postherpetic neuralgia). The pathogenesis of postherpetic neuralgia is unknown and it is difficult to treat. Furthermore, other zoster complications can develop, including myelitis, cranial nerve palsies, meningitis, stroke (vasculopathy), retinitis, and gastroenterological infections such as ulcers, pancreatitis and hepatitis. VZV is the only human herpesvirus for which highly effective vaccines are available. After varicella or vaccination, both wild-type and vaccine-type VZV establish latency, and long-term immunity to varicella develops. However, immunity does not protect against reactivation. Thus, two vaccines are used: one to prevent varicella and one to prevent zoster. In this Primer we discuss the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of VZV infections, with an emphasis on the molecular events that regulate these diseases. For an illustrated summary of this Primer, visit: http://go.nature.com/14xVI1.

Virus Latency

Humans

Infant

Varicella Zoster Virus Infection - complications

Herpesvirus 3, Human

Chickenpox Vaccine - therapeutic use

Herpes Zoster - virology

Neuralgia, Postherpetic - virology

Varicella Zoster Virus Infection - prevention & control

Chickenpox - virology

Adult

Varicella Zoster Virus Infection - virology

Immunocompromised Host

Details

Title: Subtitle: Varicella zoster virus infection
Creators: Anne A Gershon - Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 630 West 168th Street, New York, New York 10032, USA
Judith Breuer - Department of Infection and Immunity, University College London, UK
Jeffrey I Cohen - Medical Virology Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Massachusetts, USA
Randall J Cohrs - Departments of Neurology and Microbiology and Immunology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
Michael D Gershon - Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
Don Gilden - Departments of Neurology and Microbiology and Immunology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
Charles Grose - Division of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Children's Hospital, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
Sophie Hambleton - Primary Immunodeficiency Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Peter G E Kennedy - Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow University, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Michael N Oxman - Infectious Diseases Section, Medicine Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California, USA
Jane F Seward - Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Koichi Yamanishi - Research Foundation for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Nature reviews. Disease primers, Vol.1(1), pp.15016-15016
DOI: 10.1038/nrdp.2015.16
PMID: 27188665
PMCID: PMC5381807
NLM abbreviation: Nat Rev Dis Primers
ISSN: 2056-676X
eISSN: 2056-676X
Grant note: G0700814 / Medical Research Council R01 AG006127 / NIA NIH HHS Wellcome Trust F32 DK009394 / NIDDK NIH HHS R01 DK093094 / NIDDK NIH HHS P01 AG032958 / NIA NIH HHS R37 AG006127 / NIA NIH HHS R01 NS082228 / NINDS NIH HHS R01 AI089716 / NIAID NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 07/02/2015
Academic Unit: Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Infectious Disease (Pediatrics)
Record Identifier: 9984093218402771

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