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Varicella and herpes zoster: a perspective and overview
1Department of Tropical Public Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|August 1, 1992
Summary
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) isolation and identification were advanced by human cell culture. Understanding VZV
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Pioneering work by Tyzzer and Goodpasture laid the groundwork for VZV research.
- Early observations suggested a link between varicella (chickenpox) and zoster (shingles).
Observation:
- The development of human cell culture systems revolutionized virus isolation and propagation.
- Immunologic studies confirmed the coidentity of viruses causing varicella and zoster.
Findings:
- Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) isolation and characterization were significantly advanced by cell culture techniques.
- The social significance of VZV is growing due to an aging population and increased immunosuppression.
Implications:
- Unexplained phenomena, such as adult varicella in the tropics and VZV detection failures in throat washings, require further investigation.
- Continued research is crucial for managing VZV in vulnerable populations and understanding its epidemiology.