We conducted an observational retrospective study of all adults hospitalized for documented varicella-zoster virus (VZV) meningitis or encephalitis during years 2000-2015 in one referral centre. Thirty-six patients (21 males, 15 females) were included, with meningitis (n = 21), or meningoencephalitis (n = 15). Median age was 51 years [interquartile range, 35-76], and 6 patients (17%) were immunocompromised. Aciclovir was started in 32 patients (89%), with a median dose of 11 mg/kg/8 h [10-15]. No patient died, but 12 (33%) had neurological sequelae at discharge. Age was the only variable associated with adverse outcome (OR 1.98 [1.17-3.35] per 10-year increment, P = 0.011).
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10096-021-04245-y | DOI Listing |
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 PDFAlzheimers Dement
December 2024
MRC Unit for Lifelong Health & Ageing at UCL, London, United Kingdom.
Background: Associations of common infections with Alzheimer's disease have been reported, but potential mechanisms underlying these relationships are unclear. A hypothesised mechanism is amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregation as a defense mechanism in response to infection, with subsequent tau accumulation. However, no studies have assessed associations of infections with cerebral Aβ and tau pathology in vivo.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlzheimers Dement
December 2024
University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
Background: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation, manifesting as herpes zoster, increases dementia risk. Herein, we review the literature supporting the biological plausibility of VZV contributing to AD pathologies and examine the unique ability of VZV to induce amylin that has been found in blood vessels and parenchyma of AD patients.
Method: We conducted a literature review on VZV and dementia to elucidate a potential model for how VZV reactivation intersects with AD.
Background: Hallmark features of AD are well defined, however, the generation of in vitro models of sporadic AD poses a significant challenge due to the complex, undefined etiology and slow progression of this disease. Herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) is a pathogen that is gaining increasing attention as a potential causative agent in AD pathogenesis. HSV-1 is a DNA virus that typically resides throughout the peripheral nervous system in a latent state.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlzheimers Dement
December 2024
Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Background: The mechanism through which common viruses such as varicella zoster virus (VZV) may trigger the onset of AD in the elderly is far from understood. The poliovirus receptor (PVR) is a protein of interest as it was associated to AD in a brain proteomics study and interacts with multiple viruses (Wingo, et al. Nat Neurosci).
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