Prevention strategies for herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia.
Impairment of varicella zoster virus (VZV)-specific cell-mediated immunity, including impairment due to immunosenescence, is associated with an increased risk of developing herpes zoster (HZ), whereas levels of anti-VZV antibodies do not correlate with HZ risk. This crucial role of VZV-specific cell-mediated immunity suggests that boosting these responses by vaccination will be an effective strategy for reducing the burden of HZ. Other strategies focus on preventing the major complication of HZ--post-herpetic neuralgia. These strategies include pre-emptive treatment with drugs such as tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants and analgesics.
Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Denver, Mail Stop C227, Building 401, 1784 Racine Street, Room R09-108, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. myron.levin@ucdenver.edu
Myron J
MJ
Levin
Anne A
AA
Gershon
Robert H
RH
Dworkin
Marc
M
Brisson
Lawrence
L
Stanberry
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D051474:Neuralgia, Postherpetic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014611:Vaccination
D000700:Analgesics; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine