The occurrence of varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation is increased after allogeneic transplantation, whereas limited data are available for herpes zoster (HZ) after autologous SCT (ASCT). We determined the incidence and the prognostic significance of HZ and its correlation with VZV serology in 191 consecutive myeloma patients undergoing high-dose melphalan chemotherapy with ASCT. We found that VZV reactivation occurred in 57 (30%) patients, in 8.5% during induction and in 21.5% after ASCT peaking at 8 months after ASCT. Disease burden due to HZ was assessed as high or rather high in 70% of the patients. By immune fluorescence and Serion Elisa VZV IgG assessment, 90.8% of all patients had specific anti-VZV antibodies at ASCT. Lower specific antibody titers at transplantation were observed in patients with HZ after ASCT than in those without reactivation (P=0.009). Finally, OS was better in myeloma patients with HZ after ASCT compared with patients without HZ (P=0.007). Our data indicate that VZV reactivation after ASCT is a frequent event carrying a significant disease burden and it is associated with improved survival. Low levels of specific VZV antibodies at ASCT suggest increased vulnerability for VZV reactivation.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/bmt.2014.290 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Herpesvirus Infections After Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy and Bispecific Antibodies: A Review.
Viruses
January 2025
Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control, and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
In this narrative review, we explore the burden and risk factors of various herpesvirus infections in patients receiving chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy or bispecific antibodies (BsAb) for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Antiviral prophylaxis for herpes simplex/varicella zoster viruses became part of the standard of care in this patient population. Breakthrough infections may rarely occur, and the optimal duration of prophylaxis as well as the timing of recombinant zoster immunization remain to be explored.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA VZV-gE subunit vaccine decorated with mPLA elicits protective cellular immmune responses against varicella-zoster virus.
Int Immunopharmacol
February 2025
Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China. Electronic address:
Herpes zoster is an acute infectious skin disease caused by the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus, vaccination, such as subunit vaccine with good safety, can effectively prevent shingles through increasing immunity of the body. However, protein antigens are prone to degradation and inactivation, which alone is generally not sufficient to induce potent immune effect. In this study, the liposomal vaccine platform modified with mPLA (TLR4 agonist) was developed to improve the immunogenicity of glycoprotein E (VZV-gE) derived from herpes zoster virus.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBugs take the sting out.
Cell Host Microbe
January 2025
Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. Electronic address:
Jiang et al. investigate the role of the microbiota in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a chronic pain condition resulting from varicella-zoster virus reactivation. They identify microbiome alterations in PHN patients, linking microbes and pain sensitivity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVaricella zoster virus central nervous system infection - a retrospective study from a tertiary center in Greece.
Germs
September 2024
MD, PhD, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece.
Introduction: Central nervous system (CNS) infection due to the varicella zoster virus (VZV) can complicate the primary infection or the reactivation, leading to significant mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to describe the clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics of patients with confirmed VZV CNS infection in a tertiary hospital in Greece.
Methods: Data about patients hospitalized from January 2018 to September 2023 with CNS infection by VZV, confirmed by a syndromic polymerase chain reaction in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), were retrospectively collected and evaluated.
Low-Dose Acyclovir Reduces the Reactivation of Herpes Simplex and Varicella Zoster Viruses After Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation.
Cureus
December 2024
Division of Hematology and Cellular Therapy, Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, USA.
Introduction: Reactivation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a potential complication following allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT). Since different doses and durations of acyclovir prophylaxis may be utilized across transplant centers, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a lower dose of acyclovir in preventing HSV and VZV reactivation in alloSCT recipients within our institution.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients who underwent alloSCT between April 2016 and May 2023.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!