title: Varicella-zoster virus: mechanisms of pathogenicity and corneal disease.
abstract: As ophthalmologists, many of our patients suffer from the ravages, both ocular and non-ocular, of the varicella-zoster virus. This article is a comprehensive review of the pathogenetic mechanisms of this ubiquitous virus. We review the basic virology, mechanisms of varicella, zoster, latency, reactivation, and the host immune response to the virus. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus is discussed with special attention to the cornea and mechanisms of viral keratitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. christopherstarr@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Christopher E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Starr
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pavan-Langston
mesh_terms: D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D006563:Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D014775:Virus Activation