Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Varicella-zoster virus

A M Arvin1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305-5119, USA. MN.AMA@FORSYTHE.STANFORD.EDU

Clinical Microbiology Reviews
|July 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes chickenpox and shingles. Understanding VZV

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Immune responses to measles and mumps vaccination of infants at 6, 9, and 12 months.

The Journal of infectious diseases·2001
Same author

Varicella-zoster virus: molecular virology and virus-host interactions.

Current opinion in microbiology·2001
Same author

Mutational analysis of the repeated open reading frames, ORFs 63 and 70 and ORFs 64 and 69, of varicella-zoster virus.

Journal of virology·2001
Same author

Natural history of neonatal herpes simplex virus infections in the acyclovir era.

Pediatrics·2001
Same author

Safety and efficacy of high-dose intravenous acyclovir in the management of neonatal herpes simplex virus infections.

Pediatrics·2001
Same author

Granulysin blocks replication of varicella-zoster virus and triggers apoptosis of infected cells.

Viral immunology·2001
Same journal

The gut microbiome and colorectal cancer.

Clinical microbiology reviews·2026
Same journal

Influence of fungi on epithelial homeostasis and role in inflammatory diseases.

Clinical microbiology reviews·2026
Same journal

Coxsackievirus A6 on the rise: epidemiology, pathogenicity, evolutionary dynamics, and antiviral strategy.

Clinical microbiology reviews·2026
Same journal

Intravesical therapies for catheter-associated urinary tract infections: current approaches and future directions.

Clinical microbiology reviews·2026
Same journal

<i>Plasmodium vivax</i> malaria in India: microbiological barriers to diagnosis, treatment, and elimination.

Clinical microbiology reviews·2026
Same journal

The gut microbiome in preterm infants: development, dysbiosis, and disease implications.

Clinical microbiology reviews·2026
See all related articles

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a common human alphaherpesvirus responsible for varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles).
  • VZV establishes latency in dorsal root ganglia and reactivates, particularly in older or immunocompromised individuals, leading to shingles.
  • The virus has a worldwide distribution, with incidence influenced by factors like age and immune status.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), encompassing its virology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and management.
  • To highlight the importance of laboratory diagnostics for timely VZV detection and treatment initiation.
  • To review current therapeutic and prophylactic strategies, including antiviral medications and vaccination.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Literature review of VZV epidemiology, viral structure, pathogenesis, and clinical presentations.
  • Summary of diagnostic methods for VZV detection (viral proteins, DNA).
  • Overview of VZV treatment options (antiviral therapy) and prevention strategies (vaccination, immune globulin).

Main Results:

  • VZV infection results in varicella in childhood and can reactivate as herpes zoster later in life.
  • Diagnosis can be rapidly confirmed through laboratory detection of viral components.
  • Effective treatments include acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir, with varicella-zoster immune globulin for prophylaxis.
  • A live attenuated varicella vaccine is recommended for routine childhood immunization.

Conclusions:

  • Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection requires prompt diagnosis and management, with effective antiviral and prophylactic options available.
  • Routine childhood immunization with the VZV vaccine is crucial for public health.
  • Continued research into VZV pathogenesis and control remains important for managing both primary infections and reactivation.