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Development of an IFN-γ ELISpot Assay to Assess Varicella-Zoster Virus-specific Cell-mediated Immunity Following Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation
Published on: July 9, 2014
Herpes zoster in childhood
Alexander K C Leung1, W Lane M Robson, Alexander G Leong
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Summary
Herpes zoster, caused by varicella-zoster virus reactivation, can occur after vaccination. Vaccine recipients experience about 14 cases per 100,000 person-years, with complications including infection and scarring.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Herpes zoster results from the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in dorsal root ganglia.
- Reactivation can occur at any point following the primary VZV infection.
- The varicella vaccine, a live attenuated virus, can also lead to herpes zoster in recipients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and characteristics of herpes zoster in varicella vaccine recipients.
- To differentiate between wild-type and vaccine-type VZV in cases of herpes zoster.
- To outline the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for herpes zoster.
Main Methods:
- Epidemiological analysis of herpes zoster incidence in vaccine recipients.
- Viral DNA analysis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) to distinguish VZV types.
- Clinical assessment of herpes zoster presentation and complications.
Main Results:
- The incidence of herpes zoster among varicella vaccine recipients is approximately 14 cases per 100,000 person-years.
- In young children, herpes zoster commonly affects cervical and sacral dermatomes.
- Common complications include secondary bacterial infections, depigmentation, and scarring.
Conclusions:
- Herpes zoster is a potential outcome in individuals vaccinated against varicella.
- Distinguishing between wild-type and vaccine-type VZV requires molecular diagnostic methods.
- Acyclovir remains the primary treatment for herpes zoster.
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