title: Increased density of cutaneous nerve fibres in the affected dermatomes after herpes zoster therapy.
abstract: Herpes zoster neural injury was assessed by determining cutaneous nerve density in skin biopsies from the affected dermatomes of 35 adult patients with herpes zoster in the acute phase and 3 months post-treatment, using protein gene product 9.5 immunohistochemistry. In contrast to the significant increase in subepidermal nerve fibre density (11.77 ± 4.88/mm vs. 13.29 ± 5.74/mm, p = 0.045) after 3 months, no differences were found in epidermal free nerve endings (2.43 ± 2.35/mm and 2.8 ± 2.86/mm, p = 0.168). Patients with post-herpetic neuralgia had significantly lower subepidermal nerve fibre densities (9.7 ± 2.05/mm vs. 14.72 ± 6.13/mm, p = 0.011) compared with non-post-herpetic neuralgia patients. No differences in cutaneous nerve density were found in relation to antiviral therapy. In conclusion, 3 months after acute infection, no sign of epidermal innervation recovery is observed, while the increased subepidermal nerve fibre density in the affected dermatomes probably reflects nerve regeneration that is not affected by antiviral agent type. Subepidermal nerve fibre density is decreased in patients with post-herpetic neuralgia 3-months post-acute herpes zoster infection.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Dermatology and Venereology, ATTIKON General University Hospital, 12131 Athens, Greece. chzgr@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Charalampos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zografakis
authors.forename: Dina G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Tiniakos
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Palaiologou
authors.forename: Mirsini
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kouloukoussa
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kittas
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Staurianeas
mesh_terms: D015075:2-Aminopurine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000212:Acyclovir / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001706:Biopsy; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077595:Famciclovir; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology*; D051474:Neuralgia, Postherpetic / Q000473:pathology*; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D014633:Valine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; C482860:UCHL1 protein, human; C020235:brivudine; D015075:2-Aminopurine; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine; D014633:Valine; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D000077595:Famciclovir; D000212:Acyclovir