Varicella-zoster virus: overview and clinical manifestations

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes chickenpox and establishes lifelong latency in sensory ganglia.
• VZV reactivation, known as herpes zoster (shingles), increases with age due to declining immune function.
• Shingles can cause severe acute and chronic pain, with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) being a common complication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of VZV reactivation.
• To highlight the increasing incidence of herpes zoster and PHN with advancing age.
• To emphasize the significant morbidity associated with VZV reactivation, particularly chronic pain.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on VZV pathogenesis and clinical outcomes.
• Analysis of epidemiological data on herpes zoster and PHN incidence.
• Clinical description of VZV reactivation, acute herpes zoster, and PHN.

Main Results:

• Herpes zoster incidence rises significantly with age.
• Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most frequent complication of herpes zoster.
• PHN incidence also increases dramatically with age, leading to chronic pain.

Conclusions:

• VZV reactivation (shingles) is a significant health concern, especially in older adults.
• Age-related immune decline is a key factor in VZV reactivation.
• Effective management and prevention strategies for shingles and PHN are crucial, particularly for the aging population.