Molecular and therapeutic aspects of varicella-zoster virus infection.
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a highly species-specific member of the Herpesviridae family. The virus exhibits multiple cell tropisms, infecting peripheral blood mononuclear cells and skin cells before establishing latency in sensory neurons. Such tropisms are essential both for primary infection, which manifests itself as chickenpox (varicella), and subsequent reactivation to cause herpes zoster (shingles). The highly cell-associated nature of the virus, coupled with its narrow host range, has resulted in the lack of an animal model that mimics its diseases in humans, thereby greatly hindering the study of events in VZV pathogenesis. Despite this, extensive studies both in vitro and in vivo in small-animal models have provided a fascinating insight into molecular events that govern VZV diseases. In addition, VZV has become the first human herpes virus for which a live attenuated vaccine has been developed.
Quinlivan
Mark
M
Skin Virus Laboratory, Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, 4 Newark Street, Whitechapel, London, E1 28E, UK. m_quinlivan@hotmail.com
Breuer
Judith
J
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004261:DNA Replication; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D017735:Virus Latency
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine; D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine