Update on the advisory committee on immunization practices' recommendations for use of herpes zoster vaccine.

A live attenuated vaccine to prevent herpes zoster, or shingles (Zostavax; Merck & Co Inc, Whitehouse Station, NJ), is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in adults aged 50 years or older. Studies show that this vaccine is safe when administered to immunocompetent adults. Investigations are being conducted to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of the vaccine in immunocompromised populations, including patients who are dependent on steroids.

Herpes zoster overview: natural history and incidence.

The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes two diseases. The primary VZV infection, known as chickenpox, typically occurs during childhood. Herpes zoster infection results later in life from reactivation of VZV in the dorsal root ganglia.

Genital human papillomavirus infection in men: incidence and risk factors in a cohort of university students.

Background: In contrast to the wealth of data on human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in women, much less is known about HPV in men.

Methods: Between June 2003 and March 2006, a total of 240 heterosexually active male university students 18-20 years of age were recruited for participation in a cohort study of HPV infection. Genital cell samples were collected, at 4-month intervals, for HPV-DNA analysis by polymerase chain reaction.

The burden of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in the United States.

Herpes zoster (shingles), a painful and disabling disease, affects an estimated 1 million individuals in the United States annually and results in significant morbidity, lost productivity, and diminished quality of life. Herpes zoster constitutes the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. After resolution of chickenpox, VZV remains dormant in dorsal root ganglia.

Epidemiology and natural history of genital human papillomavirus infection.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a ubiquitous human pathogen that causes cervical and other anogenital cancers as well as genital warts and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Human papillomavirus infection is most common among young, sexually active individuals, and it is so prevalent that approximately 75% to 80% of sexually active individuals will become infected in their lifetime. Currently, options are limited for both prevention of infection of patients with HPV-associated disease: infection can only be prevented with complete abstinence from all forms of sexual activity because condoms do not offer complete protection from HPV and HPV can be transmitted by nonintromissive sexual activities.

Men's perceptions and knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer.

The authors assessed young men's knowledge and perceptions of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection to identify factors that predict intention to make positive behavioral changes. Male university students aged 18 to 25 years completed a self-report instrument to assess knowledge and perceptions of genital HPV infection. If diagnosed with HPV, most men (95%) reported that they would use condoms with new partners.

Evaluation of genital sites and sampling techniques for detection of human papillomavirus DNA in men.

To evaluate methods for detection of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in men, samples were obtained from 3 consecutive groups of 10 men attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic by use of (1) a saline-wetted Dacron swab alone, (2) a saline-wetted cytobrush, or (3) emery paper (600A-grit Wetordry Tri-M-ite; 3M) abrasion followed by a saline-wetted Dacron swab. By use of a polymerase chain reaction-based assay, 45% of emery-paper samples were found to be positive for beta-globin, compared with 23% of swab-alone and 0% of cytobrush samples. Subsequently, emery paper and saline-wetted Dacron swabs were used to obtain penile shaft, glans, foreskin, and scrotum samples from 318 male university students.