title: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) in cerebral arteries of subjects at high risk for VZV reactivation.
abstract: With a decline in varicella zoster virus (VZV)-specific cell-mediated immunity, VZV can reactivate, infect cerebral arteries and cause stroke. Previous studies of cerebral arteries from subjects without a history of transient ischemic attacks or stroke revealed no VZV DNA or VZV antigen; however, VZV DNA and VZV antigen were found in the cerebral arteries of a subject with diabetes, a known risk factor for VZV reactivation and zoster. The present study analyzed an additional 55 cerebral arteries from 18 subjects with co-morbidities that may increase risk of VZV reactivation: a history of alcohol abuse, tricyclic antidepressant intoxication, cocaine abuse, HIV or being over age 70 years. VZV antigen was detected in 24 (44%) cerebral arteries from 14 (78%) subjects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Nagel
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Nelly
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Khmeleva
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Choe
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gutierrez
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA. Electronic address: don.gilden@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: Don
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gilden
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology; D014775:Virus Activation / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Cerebral artery; Diabetes; Drug abuse; HIV; Subclinical reactivation; VZV