[Varicella and herpes zoster. Part 1: virology, epidemiology, clinical picture, laboratory diagnostics].
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), known as one of the eight human herpesviridae, shows a ubiquitous distribution and is the cause for acute exanthema in childhood (chickenpox). VZV is highly infectious, spread by respiratory droplets and direct contact with fluid in vesicles. As a characteristic of the alpha-herpesviridae, VZV establishes latency in the nucleus of the paraspinal cells. Reactivation of VZV (zoster) is possible in all infected persons, but becomes more common with increasing age and a decline of VZV-specific cell-mediated immunity. Immunocompromised patients and older people (> 50 years) have an increased risk for a severe course of disease. The postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), as one of the most common and feared complications, is defined as a neuropathic pain (burning character), which persists for > 6 weeks after onset of disease and needs adequate antiviral and pain treatment.
Wittek
Miriam
M
Institut für Medizinische Virologie, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Doerr
Hans Wilhelm
HW
Allwinn
Regina
R
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000821:virology; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D051474:Neuralgia, Postherpetic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D011247:Pregnancy; D014775:Virus Activation / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D017735:Virus Latency / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology