Comparative quantification of varicella-zoster virus in air, pharyngeal swabs, and vesicle content in patients with varicella, disseminated zoster, and localized herpes zoster.

We evaluated the viral load of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in ambient air, vesicle, and pharyngeal swabs in VZV-infected patients. Of 46 cases, 6 had VZV detected in indoor air samples from patient rooms. Results suggest an association between viral load in the pharyngeal swab and indoor air.

Aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder triggered by herpes zoster: a case report and literature review.

This paper presents the case of a 45-year-old woman who developed aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) approximately 6 weeks after a herpes zoster infection. Her initial symptoms included area postrema syndrome, which was marked by persistent nausea, vomiting, and belching. This report also provides a summary of the demographic and clinical features, disease progression, magnetic resonance imaging findings, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, treatment plans, and recovery outcomes of 11 patients-including this case and 10 others reported in the literature since 2008-who developed AQP4 antibody-positive NMOSD following herpes zoster infection.

NEURORETINITIS ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19 INFECTION AND VARICELLA-ZOSTER VIRUS REACTIVATION.

Purpose: To report a case of neuroretinitis as the presenting manifestation of COVID-19 infection alongside VZV reactivation, in the absence of other systemic symptoms.

Methods: A case report.

Results: A previously healthy 15-year-old male presented with a one-week history of acute unilateral visual loss and clinical findings consistent with neuroretinitis.

[Viral retinitis].

Viruses belonging to the herpes family group, including HSV (herpes simplex virus) 1 and 2, VZV (varicella zoster virus) and CMV (cytomegalovirus) are the leading causes of necrotizing retinitis. These viral retinal necroses generally manifest in three forms, depending on the patient's immune status: acute retinal necrosis (ARN), progressive outer retinal necrosis (PORN) and CMV retinitis. Although specific, effective drug treatments are available today, early treatment initiation is essential to avoid sight-threatening complications.

VZV Prophylaxis After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children: When to Stop?

Background: Acyclovir treatment is an efficient prophylaxis to prevent varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Aims: This single center retrospective study tried to determine if the lymphocytes immunophenotyping could help to determine the duration of prophylaxis, and evaluated complications, and associated risk factors for VZV infection.

Methods And Results: Eighty-four children underwent an allogeneic HSCT, in which 77 received an acyclovir prophylaxis.

In memory of an exquisite medicinal chemist, Prof. Morris Robins.

Among the most prominent realizations of Morris J. Robins in the antiviral nucleoside chemistry are the synthesis of 8-substituted (methyl-, amino-, bromo-, iodo) derivatives of acyclovir, xylotubercidin as an inhibitor of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections, the anti-HIV activity of the 2',3'-dideoxyriboside of 2,6-diaminopurine (ddDAPR) and the 3'-azido- and 3'-fluoro derivatives thereof (AzddDAPR and FddDAPR, respectively), the potentiating effect of ribavirin on the anti-HIV activity of 2',3'-dideoxyinosine (ddI) and ddDAPR, S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (SAH) inhibitors principally active against vaccinia virus (VV) and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), and furo[2,3-d]pyrimidinone derivatives active against varicella-zoster virus (VZV).

Exploring the appropriate situation of performing CSF mNGS in patients with proposed intracranial infections.

Background: Identifying the responsible pathogen is crucial for precision medicine in intracranial infections, and Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing (mNGS) is a reliable method for this detection. However, the indiscriminate utilization of this approach may impose a financial burden on both patients and society. The study aims to investigate the optimal conditions for applying CSF mNGS in patients with suspected intracranial infections, offering valuable references for precision medicine of intracranial infections.

Varicella zoster vasculopathy causing recurrent ischaemic strokes in an immunocompetent patient.

A 66-year-old woman reported 10 days of generalised weakness, falls and memory 'glitches'. She had developed left-sided ophthalmic herpes zoster 3 months before but was otherwise well. MR scan of brain showed acute left-sided ischaemic strokes and CT cerebral angiogram identified marked stenoses of the left anterior and middle cerebral arteries.

Viral Infections in Pediatric Kidney Transplant Recipients: Effects on Graft Function, Risk Factors, and Patient Outcomes.

Objectives: Viral infections are the leading cause of posttransplant morbidity and mortality. We aimed to determine the effect on graft function, the risk factors, the frequency, and types of viral infections and to evaluate the effect of viral infections on kidney and patient outcomes in pediatric kidney transplant patients.

Materials And Methods: Records of children undergoing kidney transplant in our center during the period February 1, 2010, to December 31, 2023, were retrospectively evaluated.

Development of potentiometric immunosensor for determination of live attenuated Varicella Vaccine: Potency and stability studies.

Determination of Varicella vaccine's potency; containing live attenuated strain (Oka) of Varicella Zoster virus, has been limited to in vitro cell culture methods. In this study, a label free potentiometric biosensor has been developed for the first time and optimized to determine the content of varicella zoster virus. A passive ion-flux sensing platform has been developed using an anti-varicella monoclonal antibody and tetrabutyl ammonium bromide as a marker ion.

Effect of the Antibody-mediated Immune Responses on COPD, Asthma, and Lung Function: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

Introduction: The precise cause of antibody-mediated immune responses on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and lung function remains unclear. We characterized the relationship between antibody-mediated immune responses to COPD, asthma, and lung function, ultimately achieve the prevention or treatment.

Methods: We obtained summary data from published genome-wide association studies, including antibody-mediated immune responses, COPD, asthma, forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume (FVC), and FEV1/FVC.

The relationship between Zoster serology, vaccination uptake and infection rates: a single-centre cross-sectional study.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) immunity, vaccination uptake and incidence of VZV-related events in inflammatory arthritis (IA) patients initiating biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Methods: An observational study was conducted in a single hospital between March 2019 and December 2020. Ninety-three IA patients were included.