Administrative Data to Explore the Role of Family History as a Risk Factor for Herpes Zoster

We used administrative data to study the impact of family history on the risk of herpes zoster (HZ). Our HZ cases and our HZ family history were both ascertained on the basis of medically attended diagnoses, without reliance on self-report or recall bias. Family history was associated with HZ risk among both siblings and parents. The strength of the association differed when the index child was latently infected with vaccine-strain vs wild-type varicella zoster virus.     

Zostavax: a subcutaneous vaccine for the prevention of herpes zoster

Introduction: Herpes zoster (HZ) occurs as a reactivation of dormant varicella zoster virus (VZV), and occurs more frequently in the aging population or the immunocompromised due to waning cell-mediated immunity. Up to 1 million cases of HZ are reported annually in the USA with an estimated 10 – 30% of the population being affected by shingles in their lifetime. HZ is a debilitating illness, and while mortality is low, morbidity remains a significant cause for concern with prevention efforts aimed at reducing VZV reactivation and its complications. The HZ vaccine was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for individuals aged 50-years or older. However, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices recommends the vaccine in individuals aged 60-years or older.

Areas covered: Recent literature investigating the efficacy and indications of live attenuated zoster vaccine.

Expert opinion: Live attenuated zoster vaccine is safe and efficacious in preventing HZ and decreasing the morbidity associated with postherpetic neuralgia. The vaccine is FDA approved in individuals aged 50-years or older but further studies are warranted to investigate the vaccine's efficacy in immunosuppressed and immunocompromised patients.     

Herpes Virus Infections in Immunocompromised Patients: Problems and Therapeutic Interventions

Herpes virus infections are reponsible for morbidity and mortality among immuno-suppressed patients. During the last decade substantial advances have been achieved through improvement of diagnostic techniques, development of effective antiviral agents and the use of different strategies for prophylaxis and treatment. Cytomegalovirus infection and disease can today be prevented and treated effectively; however, antiviral resistance is beginning to emerge as a potential major clinical problem. Similarly, infections with herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus can be effectively treated, but antiviral resistance has also emerged for these viruses. Two new herpes viruses, human herpes viruses 6 and 7, have been discovered, and it is possible that these viruses can also cause significant problems in immunosuppressed individuals. New antiviral agents will be needed during the next decade to allow further advances in the treatment of herpes virus infections.     

Myths and Misconceptions: Varicella-Zoster Virus Exposure,Infection Risks,Complications, and Treatments

Varicella zoster and herpes zoster are infections caused by the highly contagious varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Despite widespread availability of vaccines against VZV, as well as varicella vaccination rates >95%, VZV remains a public health concern because of several common myths and misconceptions. Because of the success of routine varicella vaccination programs, some people mistakenly believe that varicella and herpes zoster are now no longer a threat to public health. Another common misconception is that shingles is less infectious than varicella; however, clinical evidence indicates otherwise. Several knowledge gaps exist around VZV transmission and the availability and use of varicella zoster immune globulin (human) for postexposure prophylaxis against VZV. To help reduce the incidence of severe disease in high-risk individuals (eg, elderly people, pregnant women, unvaccinated persons, infants, and immunocompromised children and adults), this article addresses misbeliefs and broadens awareness of VZV exposure, infection risks, complications, and treatments.     

1082例妊娠妇女TORCH感染情况调查分析

目的了解目前重庆地区妊娠期妇女感染弓形虫(TOX)、风疹病毒(RV)、巨细胞(CMV)、单纯疱疹病毒Ⅱ型(HSV-Ⅱ)的现状。方法采用抗体捕获酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)对2008年8月至2009年10月进行孕前或产前检查的1082例妇女进行TOX、RV、CMV、HSV-Ⅱ检测。结果妊娠期妇女感染弓形虫、风疹病毒、巨细胞、单纯疱疹病毒Ⅱ型的阳性率分别为7.30%、3.33%、2.40%、9.43%。结论重庆地区妊娠期妇女单纯疱疹病毒Ⅱ型、弓形虫感染较高,针对目前妊娠期妇女感染TORCH后无特效治疗状况,应加强TORCH知识普及,加强孕前检查。做好优生优育工作,提高人口素质。     

Review of antiviral therapy for herpes labialis,genital herpes and herpes zoster

Acyclovir (Zovirax^®) was approved for the treatment of herpesvirus infections almost two decades ago. It was the first agent in a novel group of antiviral medications that now include valacyclovir (Valtrex^®), penciclovir (Denavir^®) and famciclovir (Famvir^®). These agents have made a dramatic impact on the morbidity associated with herpes simplex virus infections and herpes zoster. Topical and oral antiviral use have shown modest but statistically significant efficacy in treating herpes labialis with most studies demonstrating a significant reduction in episode length and/or healing time. Oral acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir are efficacious and safe for the treatment of the first episode and recurrent genital herpes and are useful as suppressive therapy for individuals with frequent genital herpes recurrences. In addition, high doses of oral acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir have been shown to speed the healing of herpes zoster, and data suggests that these agents also decrease associated acute and chronic pain in people of 50 years of age or older. Further research is required to clarify the safety of these agents in pregnant women with genital herpes, the role of antiviral therapy in decreasing the sexual transmission of genital herpes, and the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of these agents in treating herpes zoster in people below the age of 50 years.     

神经阻滞联合抗病毒药物治疗早期带状疱疹神经痛

[目的]观察神经阻滞联合抗病毒药物治疗早期带状疱疹神经痛的疗效.[方法]选择急性带状疱疹神经痛发病1～2周的患者64例,随机分成抗病毒药物治疗组(A组)和神经阻滞联合抗病毒药物组(B组),每组32例.分别在治疗前和治疗后进行视觉模拟评分(VAS),1周评估一次,随诊12周,了解患者睡眠、疼痛情况及带状疱疹后遗神经痛(P...     

Gene therapy for the treatment of sensory neuropathy

Sensory polyneuropathy can be a serious problem, but for the majority of clinically important neuropathies there are no available therapies. Neurotrophic and neuroprotective peptide factors have been identified that prevent or reverse neuropathy in rodent models of disease, but delivery of these highly pleiotropic peptides has posed an obstacle for translation into effective human therapies. Gene transfer into muscle using viral or non-viral vectors, or into neurons of the dorsal root ganglion using herpes simplex virus-based vectors, provides an alternative means to achieve this end. Studies in animal models have been promising, and the first human trial, using a plasmid to transfer the gene coding for vascular endothelial growth factor into muscle for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy, is now underway. Evidence supporting the trial and the challenges facing this therapy are reviewed.     

Antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C in patients with inherited bleeding disorders: an international, multicenter cohort study

Summary. Background: Hepatitis C is a major co‐morbidity in patients with hemophilia. However, there is little information on the efficacy of antiviral therapy and long‐term follow‐up after treatment.Objectives: To assess the effect of interferon‐based (IFN‐based) therapy on hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication, to identify determinants associated with treatment response, and to assess the occurrence of end‐stage liver disease (ESLD) after completing antiviral therapy.Patients and methods: In a multicenter cohort study, 295 treatment‐naïve hemophilia patients chronically infected with HCV were included. The effect of therapy was expressed as sustained virological response (SVR). Determinants associated with treatment response were expressed as odds ratios (ORs). Cumulative incidence of ESLD was assessed using a Kaplan–Meier survival table.Results: Among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative patients (n = 235), SVR was 29% (29/101) for IFN monotherapy, 44% (32/72) for IFN with ribavirin, and 63% (39/62) for pegylated IFN (PegIFN) with ribavirin. In patients co‐infected with HIV (n = 60), IFN monotherapy, IFN with ribavirin, and PegIFN with ribavirin eradicated HCV in 7/35 (20%), 1/2 (50%), and 11/23 (48%), respectively. SVR increased with genotype 2 and 3 [OR 11.0, 95% CI: 5.8–20.5], and combination therapy (IFN and ribavirin OR 3.7, 95% CI: 1.7–8.4), PegIFN and ribavirin (OR 4.2, 95% CI: 1.8–9.5). Up to 15 years after antiviral treatment, none of the patients with a SVR relapsed and none developed ESLD. In contrast, among unsuccessfully treated patients the cumulative incidence of ESLD after 15 years was 13.0%.Conclusions: Successful antiviral therapy appears to have a durable effect and reduces the risk of ESLD considerably.     

普洱地区13774例育龄女性TORCH筛查及IgG抗体亲和力检查结果分析

目的探讨普洱地区育龄女性TORCH感染情况及流行特点,为该地区育龄女性孕期保健提供一定的参考依据。方法收集2017年3月至2019年3月来该院进行TORCH检查的育龄女性13774例,通过磁微粒发光化学免疫分析法定量检测TORCH特异性IgG和IgM抗体,依据检测结果,按受检女性的年龄段和不同季节分别统计弓形虫(TOX)、风疹病毒(RV)、巨细胞病毒(CMV)、单纯疱疹病毒(HSV)-Ⅰ、HSV-Ⅱ的IgG和IgM抗体阳性情况。分析IgG抗体亲和力结果。结果(1)TORCH-IgG抗体检测结果中,CMV-IgG抗体阳性率最高,为92.62%,TOX-IgG抗体阳性率最低,为6.33%;TORCH-IgM抗体检测结果中,CMV-IgM抗体阳性率最高,为0.86%,TOX-IgM抗体阳性率最低,为0.30%。(2)成年人TORCH-IgG抗体(除TOX)和TORCH-IgM抗体阳性率均高于未成年人(P<0.05)。(3)不同季节TORCH-IgM抗体阳性构成比差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。(4)TORCH-IgG抗体亲和力检测结果以高亲和力为主。结论育龄女性常规进行TORCH筛查及IgG抗体亲和力的检查,一方面可有针对性地预防TORCH感染,另一方面可为临床鉴别TORCH急性感染提供诊断依据。     

慢性乙型肝炎抗病毒治疗的现状及进展

目前慢性乙型病毒性肝炎(chronic hepatitis B,CHB)的治疗包括聚乙二醇化干扰素(pegylated interferon,PEG-IFN)和核苷(酸)类似物[nucleos(t)ide analogs,NAs]。基于IFN的治疗时间是有限的,但只有20%~30%的患者实现血清学反应和持续的治疗后反应。NAs因其长期疗效有限导致治疗期延长,并且长期服用NAs可出现耐药突变体。很多研究结合PEG-IFN的免疫调节特性以及NAs的直接抗病毒活性,试图提高CHB患者的疗效。联合治疗虽然提高了患者的治疗中应答率,但并未改善治疗后反应。因此,目前迫切需要探索新的治疗策略。     

疮疹病毒Ⅰ型胸苷激酶基因和更昔洛韦系统治疗脑恶性胶质瘤的临床观察及护理

目的 探讨和观察单纯疱疹病毒Ⅰ型胸苷激酶基因(TK)逆转录病毒载体生产细胞(PLTKcSN／VPC)结合羟甲基无环鸟苷(GCV)系统治疗(基因治疗)恶性胶质瘤的方法在人体内的安全性。方法在围手术期内对接受该治疗的患进行临床观察和护理。结果 19例患接受该治疗后产生一些轻微的毒副作用,包括发热、神经系统症状、心血管及消化系统反应,对症处理后均可控制。结论 通过密切观察和护理．可有效地预防和减轻治疗后不良反应。     

Herpes simplex pneumonia: Combination therapy with oral acyclovir and aerosolized ribavirin in an immunocompetent patient

Background: Herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) are known to cause respiratory tract infections in immunocompromised hosts and, in rare instances, in immunocompetent hosts. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that aerosolized administration of ribavirin can potently and selectively inhibit viral replication in pulmonary disease, thereby increasing the effectiveness of acyclovir in HSV.Objective: In this case study, we reported on a 46-year-old immunocompetent woman with HSV type 1 pneumonia with bilateral pulmonary infiltrates but without mucocutaneous lesions.Methods: The diagnosis was confirmed using cytology, viral culture, and serology. Because of the persistence of fever and dyspnea, we chose an antiviral therapy. The patient received oral acyclovir and aerosolized ribavirin to improve the antiviral effectiveness of the acyclovir and to reduce the symptoms and the time to resolution of the pulmonary disease.Results: After 3 days of therapy, dyspnea and fever decreased and hypoxemia improved. After 2 weeks, computed tomography showed complete resolution of pulmonary abnormalities. The patient did not report any adverse effects.Conclusions: In our case study, we demonstrated that therapy with a combination of aerosolized ribavirin and oral acyclovir may be useful to reduce the severity of viral infection, the adverse effects, and the days of hospitalization. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature of the synergistic effects of the combination of aerosolized ribavirin and oral acyclovir in the treatment of an immunocompetent patient with HSV pneumonia.     

Herpes‐like skin lesion after AstraZeneca vaccination for COVID‐19: A case report

Recurrent herpes simplex virus or varicella zoster virus infection should be considered as one of the rare complications after AstraZeneca vaccination for COVID‐19.     

电针夹脊穴配合刺络拔罐治疗带状疱疹

目的:观察电针夹脊穴配合刺络拔罐治疗带状疱疹的临床疗效。方法:80例带状疱疹患者随机分为A、B2组各40例,均采用电针夹脊穴治疗,A组加用患处刺络拔罐治疗。结果:治疗10d后,A组平均止痛和结痂时间均较B组短(P0.01);临床疗效比较,A组痊愈率及总有效率均明显高于B组(52.5%、97.5%与27.5%、87.5%,P0.01)。结论:电针夹脊穴配合刺络拔罐治疗带状疱疹可明显缩短治疗时间,提高疗效。     

Oncolytic herpes simplex virus therapy for malignant glioma: current approaches to successful clinical application

Introduction: With the approval of talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) for advanced malignant melanoma, virotherapy using oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV) is now emerging as a viable therapeutic option for cancer patients, including malignant gliomas.

Areas covered: This review summarizes the most recent literature to provide cutting-edge knowledge about preclinical and clinical development of oHSV therapy for malignant gliomas, presenting current approaches to overcome obstacles to successful clinical application of oHSV in neuro-oncology.

Expert opinion: Current strategies to improve the efficacy of oHSV therapy include engineering new viruses, modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses, combination with other treatments, and developing new oHSV delivery. All of these could rapidly be translated into clinical investigations, following several clinical trials that are currently ongoing.     

The Influenza Virus Polymerase Complex: An Update on Its Structure,Functions, and Significance for Antiviral Drug Design

Influenza viruses cause seasonal epidemics and pandemic outbreaks associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and a huge cost. Since resistance to the existing anti‐influenza drugs is rising, innovative inhibitors with a different mode of action are urgently needed. The influenza polymerase complex is widely recognized as a key drug target, given its critical role in virus replication and high degree of conservation among influenza A (of human or zoonotic origin) and B viruses. We here review the major progress that has been made in recent years in unravelling the structure and functions of this protein complex, enabling structure‐aided drug design toward the core regions of the PA endonuclease, PB1 polymerase, or cap‐binding PB2 subunit. Alternatively, inhibitors may target a protein–protein interaction site, a cellular factor involved in viral RNA synthesis, the viral RNA itself, or the nucleoprotein component of the viral ribonucleoprotein. The latest advances made for these diverse pharmacological targets have yielded agents in advanced (i.e., favipiravir and VX‐787) or early clinical testing, besides several experimental inhibitors in various stages of development, which are all covered here.