Zoster Patients Research Articles

Varicella Zoster Virus and the Neuro-Attenuated Vaccine Necessity

Varicella Zoster Virus and the Neuro-Attenuated Vaccine Necessity

Shingles Risk Factors

Herpes zoster (shingles) is caused by the reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus. The lifetime risk for this condition is 30%, rising to 50% in individuals surviving to age 85. The most dreaded sequella — postherpetic neuralgia — develops in ≤12% of zoster patients aged ≥50. A live-virus vaccine (Zostavax) is effective in preventing or lessening the severity of …

No Increased Risk of Herpes Zoster Found in Cirrhotic Patients: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in Taiwan

BackgroundThe association between liver cirrhosis (LC) and herpes zoster has rarely been studied. We investigated the hypothesis that LC, known as an immunodeficiency disease, may increase the risk of herpes zoster using a national health insurance database in Taiwan.Materials and MethodsThe study cohort included cirrhotic patients between 1998 and 2005 (n = 4667), and a ratio of 1∶5 randomly sampled age- and gender-matched control patients (n = 23,335). All subjects were followed up for 5 years from the date of cohort entry to identify whether or not they had developed herpes zoster. Cox proportional-hazard regressions were performed to evaluate 5-year herpes zoster-free survival rates.ResultsOf all patients, 523 patients developed herpes zoster during the 5-year follow-up period, among whom 82 were LC patients and 441 were in the comparison cohort. The adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) of herpes zoster in patients with LC was not higher (AHR: 0.77, 95% confidence interval: 0.59–1.01, p = 0.06) than that of the controls during the 5-year follow-up. No increased risk of herpes zoster was found in LC patients after stratification by age, gender, urbanization level, income, geographic region, and all comorbidities.ConclusionsThis large nationwide population-based cohort study suggests that there is no increased risk for herpes zoster among people who have LC compared to a matching population.

腎機能障害を有する帯状疱疹患者に対するファムシクロビルの有効性と安全性の検討 (特定使用成績調査)

腎機能障害を有する帯状疱疹患者に対するファムシクロビルの有効性と安全性の検討 (特定使用成績調査)

Incidence of herpes zoster in patients with altered immune function

Purpose To estimate the incidence of herpes zoster (HZ) and rates of post-zoster pain in both the total study population and separately in patients with selected conditions/treatments associated with altered immune function.MethodsThe health administrative claims databases for commercially insured, Medicare, and Medicaid populations, together accounting for approximately 51 million insured individuals, were analyzed between 2005 and 2009 in a retrospective cohort study. Incidence of HZ episodes per 1,000 person-years (PY) was estimated in all study populations as well as within nine potentially immune-altering conditions. Among patients with HZ, the 6-month rate of persistent post-zoster pain was estimated.ResultsAnalysis of 90.2 million PY at risk revealed that the incidence of HZ in the total study population was 4.82/1,000 PY. The incidence of HZ was highest among patients with bone marrow or stem cell transplant (43.03 %) followed by solid organ transplant, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and systemic lupus erythematosus [95 % confidence interval (CI) 15.19–17.41 %]. HZ incidence rates were higher among persons on immunosuppressants/chemotherapy than among non-users. In the total study population, HZ incidence increased with age (18–49 years: 3.37/1,000 PY; 65+ years: 8.43/1,000 PY; P < 0.01) and female gender (incidence ratio vs. male 1.39, 95 % CI 1.38–1.40 %). The 6-month rate of persistent post-zoster pain was 4.29 % (95 % CI 4.22–4.36 %), which was higher in patients with the selected conditions.ConclusionsDespite providing a relatively small fraction of overall HZ cases, persons with immune function-altering conditions make a large contribution to the societal healthcare burden because they have a higher risk of developing HZ and persistent post-zoster pain. These risk factors should be considered in HZ prevention efforts.

Use of S-LANSS, a Tool for Screening Neuropathic Pain, for Predicting Postherpetic Neuralgia in Patients After Acute Herpes Zoster Events: A Single-Center, 12-Month, Prospective Cohort Study

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is one of the most severe sequelae of herpes zoster events. Several risk factors have been reported for PHN, including old age, severe skin rash, and intense pain. This study therefore aims to evaluate the usefulness of the Self-completed Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs pain scale (S-LANSS) in conjunction with previously reported risk factors for predicting PHN. A group of herpes zoster patients (N = 305) were included in the cohort study. Subjects were asked for their demographic information, clinical symptoms and signs, intensity of pain by visual analog scale (VAS), and S-LANSS. They were followed up in clinical visits or via telephone for 12 months. Nineteen patients (6.2%) suffered from PHN in this study. Using logistic regression, 3 risk factors for PHN were identified: age ≥70 years, high VAS scores, and high S-LANSS scores. Prediction of PHN using VAS (≥8) and S-LANSS (≥15) criteria achieved a sensitivity of 78.9% and specificity of 78.0%. Prediction of PHN in elderly patients (≥70 years), using the criteria of VAS (≥6) and S-LANSS (≥15) as well, achieved 100% sensitivity and 57.1% specificity. S-LANSS could be a useful prediction tool for PHN, particularly if combined with previously well-known risk factors and VAS. PerspectiveAmong acute herpes zoster patients, subjects with characteristics of neuropathic pain showed high frequency of PHN. The tools for screening neuropathic pain like S-LANSS could be helpful for predicting PHN and enabling early intervention of pain management.

PIN14 - Predictor Factors for the Presence of Post Herpetic Neuralgia at 3 Months in Herpes Zoster Patients Aged 50 and Over in Italy: Results from a Gp-Based Observational Prospective Multicenter Study

PIN14 - Predictor Factors for the Presence of Post Herpetic Neuralgia at 3 Months in Herpes Zoster Patients Aged 50 and Over in Italy: Results from a Gp-Based Observational Prospective Multicenter Study

Is peptic ulcer disease a risk factor of postherpetic neuralgia in patients with herpes zoster?

Postherpetic neuralgia is the most common complication of herpes zoster which is caused by a reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus. The pathogenesis of postherpetic neuralgia may involve peripheral and central mechanisms. Reported risk factors for postherpetic neuralgia include female gender, old age, diminished cell-mediated immunity and nutritional deficiencies. Based on our clinical observation which revealed that peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is one of the common comorbidities in patients with postherpetic neuralgia, we hypothesize that herpes zoster patients with PUD may be at a greater risk for the development of postherpetic neuralgia due to their impaired cellular immunity and depressed nutritional status. Major causes of PUD include Helicobacter pylori infection and usage of ulcerogenic medications. Patients with H. pylori infection may develop T cell dysfunctions and nutritional deficiencies including vitamin C, iron, cobalamin, carotenes and alpha-tocopherol. Ulcerogenic medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids have been found not only to be ulcerogenic but also immunosuppressive to T cells. In addition, usage of steroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may cause deficiencies of alpha-tocopherol, carotenes, cobalamin, iron, zinc and vitamin C. Vitamin C, carotenes and alpha-tocopherol are anti-inflammatory and the major oxidant scavengers in the aqua phase and biomembranes. Deficiencies of these nutrients may induce dysregulated inflammation and oxidative damage leading to neuropathic pain in patients with herpes zoster. Furthermore, nutrient deficiencies including zinc, iron, cobalamin and vitamin C are associated with dysregulation of Ca(v)3.2 T-channels and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors, upregulation of nitric oxide synthase, the increase of nitric oxide formation and dysfunction of central norepinephrine inhibitory pain pathway. Prospective cohort studies are suggested to test the hypothesis. We further propose that a follow-up study that contains two groups of herpes zoster patients, i.e., with or without gastroendoscopy-proven PUD, be conducted to determine their incidence of postherpetic neuralgia. In addition, despite of the high proportion of zoster patients having been treated with antiviral therapies, prevention and treatment of postherpetic neuralgia remain challenging in clinical practice. The potential risk of postherpetic neuralgia in zoster patients with PUD could mean that physicians need to pay more attention to the comorbidity - PUD in patients with herpes zoster and treat PUD earlier in order to prevent the development of postherpetic neuralgia.

Association between recent herpes zoster but not herpes simplex infection and subsequent risk of malignancy in women: a retrospective cohort study.

The association between herpes zoster and subsequent cancer risk is still unclear. Consequently, doubts remain regarding the need for investigation of herpes patients for co-existing or subsequent malignancy. This is a retrospective cohort study comparing cancer risk in patients after herpes zoster and age-/sex-matched non-herpes zoster patients, in a primary care-based continuous morbidity database. We tested for interaction by gender, age, diabetes, HRT use or antiviral therapy. Analyses were repeated for patients with and without herpes simplex. The hazard ratio (HR) comparing cancer risk in herpes zoster vs. control patients was significant in all women, women aged > 65 years and subgroups of breast and colorectal cancer (HRs 1·60, 1·82, 2·14, 2·19, respectively). For men, a significant association was found for haematological cancers (HR 2·92). No associations were found with herpes simplex. No interaction was identified with antiviral therapy, diabetes or HRT treatment. We concluded that there was a moderate significant association between herpes zoster and subsequent cancer risk in women aged > 65 years, without any influence of antiviral therapy. No association was found with herpes simplex. There is insufficient reason for extensively testing older patients with herpes zoster or herpes simplex for the presence of occult cancer.

Evaluation of VZV‐specific cell‐mediated immunity in adults infected with HIV‐1 by using a simple IFN‐γ release assay

The development of herpes zoster is associated with reduced varicella zoster virus (VZV)-specific cell-mediated immune (CMI) reactions. In this study, VZV-specific CMI reactions in 42 anti-VZV-IgG antibody-positive adults infected with HIV-1 were evaluated by measuring the IFN-γ production levels in whole blood in response to stimulation with ultraviolet light-inactivated live attenuated VZV vaccine. The median VZV-specific IFN-γ production level in all patients was 63 pg/ml. Antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve patients with an AIDS-defining illness (HIV classification category C) had significantly lower IFN-γ production than ART-naïve patients in categories A and B and patients receiving ART (P=0.0194 and P=0.0046, respectively). IFN-γ production increased significantly in patients within 1 month of the onset of recurrent VZV disease and at more than 1 year from onset, compared with patients who had never had recurrent VZV disease (P=0.0396 and P=0.0484, respectively). In multivariate analyses, category C and history of recurrent VZV disease were significant factors affecting IFN-γ production. Levels of IFN-γ were measured before and after ART in seven ART-naïve patients with no history of recurrent VZV disease, and no significant changes were observed. The results indicate that VZV-specific CMI reactions were reduced in patients with an AIDS-defining illness and enhanced in patients with a history of recurrent VZV disease, but not enhanced by ART alone. Vaccination may be necessary to inhibit the development of herpes zoster in patients receiving ART; this IFN-γ releasing assay is one useful method for evaluating VZV-specific CMI reactions in clinical settings.

Chloroquine diphosphate: a risk factor for herpes zoster in patients with dermatomyositis/polymyositis

OBJECTIVES:Herpes zoster has been widely described in the context of different systemic autoimmune diseases but not dermatomyositis/polymyositis. Therefore, we analyzed the prevalence, risk factors and herpes zoster outcomes in this population.METHOD:A retrospective cohort study of herpes zoster infections in dermatomyositis/polymyositis patients was performed. The patients were followed at a tertiary center from 1991 to 2012. For the control group, each patient with herpes zoster was paired with two patients without herpes zoster. Patients were matched by gender and the type of myositis, age at myositis onset and disease duration.RESULTS:Of 230 patients, 24 (10.4%) had a histories of herpes zoster (19 with dermatomyositis and five with polymyositis, two-thirds female). The mean age of the patients with herpes zoster was 44.6±16.8 years. No difference between the groups was found regarding cumulative clinical manifestations. Disease activity, autoantibody, muscle and leukogram parameters were also comparable between the groups. No differences in immunosuppressive (alone or in association with other immunosuppressive therapies) or glucocorticoid (current use, medium dose and cumulative dose in the last two months) therapies were found between patients with and without herpes zoster. However, a higher proportion of patients in the herpes zoster group received chloroquine diphosphate compared to the control group. All of the patients received acyclovir; 58.3% of patients had postherpetic neuralgia and no cases of recurrence were reported. Furthermore, individuals who were taking high prednisone doses at the time of the herpes zoster diagnosis had reduced levels of postherpetic neuralgia.CONCLUSIONS:These data suggest that chloroquine diphosphate could predispose patients with dermatomyositis/polymyositis to developing herpes zoster, particularly women and dermatomyositis patients.

The risk of herpes zoster in the anti-TNF-α era: a case report and review of the literature

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors represent efficacious therapeutic agents in many chronic inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. However they have been connected with increased risk of infection and reactivation of a variety of infectious agents, such as viruses. The reactivation of varicella zoster virus infection causes herpes zoster (HZ), a self-limiting, dermatomally localized, vesicular rash that can be accompanied by postherpetic neuralgia and severe neurological complications. Limited information has been published regarding HZ during therapy with TNF-α inhibitors especially for the occurrence of HZ during adalimumab treatment. We report the case of a 58-year-old immunocompetent man with a 18-year history of plaque psoriasis who develops ophthalmic HZ during treatment with adalimumab. We report this case to enrich the literature and to highlight the increased risk of HZ infections in patient on anti-TNF-α therapy (incidence of HZ is about 3-fold increased respect to general population). Clinically, these infections often have atypical presentations that may hamper prompt diagnosis. Therefore, it is very important to identify early signs and symptoms of herpes zoster in patients on biologic therapy in order to start prompt efficient antiviral treatment to prevent the development of severe complications.

Lymphopaenia, Anti-Ro/Anti-RNP Autoantibodies, Renal Involvement and Cyclophosphamide Use Correlate with Increased Risk of Herpes Zoster in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Herpes zoster occurs with increased frequency in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate clinical and laboratory risk factors associated with development of herpes zoster in patients with SLE. A retrospective case-control study was performed in a population of patients with SLE. Patients were identified as cases if their first episode of herpes zoster occurred after diagnosis of SLE. Patients with SLE who never developed herpes zoster were enrolled as controls. Medical charts and laboratory data for both cases and control patients were comprehensively reviewed. A total of 65 cases and 105 controls were included. Risk factors associated with the development of herpes zoster in patients with SLE were found to be lymphopaenia, anti-Ro antibodies, anti-RNP antibodies, neuropsychiatric manifestations, renal involvement and cyclophosphamide use. Therefore, the presence of certain disease manifestations in patients with SLE represents risk factors for the development of herpes zoster.

The Epidemiology of Herpes Zoster in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Cancer

Given the limited literature, we conducted a study to examine the epidemiology of herpes zoster (HZ) among newly diagnosed cancer patients. We identified adult health plan members of Kaiser Permanente Northern California diagnosed with invasive cancer from 2001 to 2005. Electronic health records with inpatient and outpatient diagnoses, laboratory tests, and antiviral medications were used to identify HZ diagnoses from 2001 to 2006. HZ diagnoses and associated complications were confirmed by medical chart review. Treatment with chemotherapy and corticosteroids was used to classify patients by immunosuppression level. Among 14,670 cancer patients, 424 were diagnosed with HZ during follow-up (median 22 months). The incidence of HZ was 31/1,000 person-year (PY) in patients with hematologic malignancies and 12/1,000 PY in patients with solid tumors. The corresponding 2-year cumulative incidence of HZ was approximately 6% and 2%, respectively. Compared with incidence rates of HZ reported in a general US population, the age- and sex-standardized rates of HZ were 4.8 times higher [95% confidence interval (CI), 4.0-5.6] in patients with hematologic malignancies and 1.9 times higher (95% CI, 1.7-2.1) in those with solid tumors. HZ risk increased with increasing level of immunosuppression. Among HZ cases, 19% with hematologic malignancies and 14% with solid tumors had HZ-associated pain for at least 30 days. The corresponding numbers for nonpain-related complications were 30% and 18%, respectively. Cancer patients are at substantially increased risk of HZ and among those with HZ, complications are relatively common. Better HZ prevention and treatment options for cancer patients are needed.

Geriatric Dentistry: A Review

ABSTRACT Education in geriatric medicine is in its infancy in India and geriatric dentistry is nonexistent. Poor oral health is linked to serious systemic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Edentulousness and paucity of prosthodontic rehabilitation prevent the elderly from choosing food that they like and deny them the pleasure of eating, which is essential for a feeling of wellbeing. Oral mucosal diseases and lesions are common in elderly people. Many older adults have pigmented and benign soft-tissue and hard-tissue conditions. Lichenoid mucosal lesions can also be caused by a variety of medications commonly prescribed in older patients. The prevalence of leukoplakia and lichen planus in older people ranges from 1.0 to 4.8% and 1.1 to 6.6%, respectively. Fifty percent of zoster patients over 60 years of age will develop postherpetic neuralgia that may persist for months or even years. Root surface caries result from an age-related condition that develops on cementum following gingival recession or as an extension of existing coronal caries onto the root surface coronal caries are also quite prevalent among older persons. A recent survey of 65-74-year-old in Madagascar observed that the mean number of DMFT was 20.2. In China, second national oral health survey revealed that the mean number of decayed and filled teeth was 2.5 at old age, and study in India confirmed this figure observed in China, the mean number of decayed teeth being 2.5. Denture stomatitis is a common oral mucosal lesion of clinical importance in old-age populations. The prevalence rate of stomatitis is reported within the range of 11-67% in complete denture wearers. Other major denture-related lesions include denture hyperplasia and traumatic ulcer; their prevalence rates in old-age denture wearers range from 4 to 26%.

Spontaneous tooth exfoliation after trigeminal herpes zoster: A case series of an uncommon complication

The most significant and debilitating complication of herpes zoster (HZ) is herpetic neuralgia that accompanies and may persist in 10-15% of all zoster patients, particularly those over 60 years of age. The described 3 cases had an uncommon complication of spontaneous tooth exfoliation after trigeminal HZ that rarely finds mention in dermatology literature.

Herpes zoster of trigeminal nerve after dental extraction

Herpes zoster is an uncommon acute viral infection caused by reactivation of varicella zoster virus. During the prodromal stage, the only presenting symptom may be odontalgia, which may prove to be a diagnostic challenge for the dentist. Practicing dentist may carry out emergency treatment that might result in irreversible damage or may delay the appropriate treatment. With an ever-increasing number of elderly and immunocompromised patients reporting to the dentist, the dental profession can expect to encounter an increased number of herpes zoster patients. Dentist must be familiar with the presenting signs and symptoms of patients experiencing the prodromal manifestations of herpes zoster of the trigeminal nerve. This article focuses on the difficulties in management of such cases, and one such case is reported here.

Sampling of herpes zoster skin lesion types and the impact on viral DNA detection

This was a multicenter, non-therapeutic study to determine the optimal type of lesion sample for quantitative PCR detection of varicella zoster virus (VZV) DNA in herpes zoster patients. Up to three crusts, three crust swabs, three vesicle swabs, and three papule swabs were collected from 41 adults with clinically diagnosed herpes zoster. 83% of subjects had at least one valid crust swab (detectable VZV or β-actin DNA), 78% had at least one valid crust, 78% had at least one valid vesicle swab, and 32% had at least one valid papule swab. Of valid samples, 97% of crusts, 94% of vesicle swabs, 90% of crust swabs, and 84% of papule swabs were VZV-DNA-positive (≥10 DNA copies/sample). 37 (90%) subjects had at least one VZV DNA-positive sample. VZV DNA copy numbers were highest for vesicle swabs and crusts. The probability of a false-negative result was 5% for crusts, 6% for vesicle swabs, 14% for papule swabs, and 24% for crust swabs. Overall, vesicle swabs and crusts were the most specific and sensitive samples for detecting VZV.

Herpes zoster is associated with an increased risk of subsequent lymphoid malignancies - A nationwide population-based matched-control study in Taiwan

BackgroundInfectious agents have been shown to contribute to the development of lymphoid malignancies. The different distribution of lymphoid malignancies in Asian and Western populations suggests possibly different etiologies in Asian populations. Herpes zoster infection, commonly seen in immunocompromised persons, has been reported to be associated with lymphoid malignancies in retrospective case–control studies from Western populations, but the results are controversial and large-scale prospective studies from Asian populations are lacking.MethodsA nationwide population-based matched-controlled prospective study on Taiwanese patients was performed using the National Health Insurance Research Database from 1996 to 2007. Herpes zoster and malignancies were defined by compatible ICD-9-CM (International Classification of Disease, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification) codes. Patients who had been diagnosed with any malignancies before herpes zoster, with known viral infections including human immunodeficiency virus, and duration from herpes zoster to diagnosis of malignancies less than 6 months were excluded.ResultsOf 42,498 patients with herpes zoster prior to the diagnosis of any malignancies, the cumulative incidence for lymphoid malignancies was 0.11% (n = 48), compared with 0.06% (n = 106) in 169,983 age- and gender-matched controls (univariate hazard ratio (HR): 1.82, 95%CI: 1.29-2.55). The most common lymphoid malignancy was non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (60.4%, n = 29), followed by multiple myeloma (27.1%, n = 13). Risk for developing lymphoid malignancies is significantly higher in herpes zoster patients (log rank P = 0.005). After adjusting for presence of any comorbidities in Charlson comorbidity index, time-dependent covariate for herpes group, and income category using Cox proportional hazard regressions, herpes zoster patients had an increased risk of developing lymphoid malignancies (adjusted HR: 1.68, 95%CI: 1.35-2.42, P = 0.0026), but did not have an increased risk of developing non-lymphoid malignancies (adjusted HR: 1.00, 95%CI: 0.91-1.05, P = 0.872).ConclusionPreceding herpes zoster infection is an independent risk marker for subsequent lymphoid malignancies in Taiwanese subjects. Further studies are warranted for pathogenesis exploration and preventive strategies in Asian populations.

Predictive Factors for Postherpetic Neuralgia Using Ordered Logistic Regression Analysis

To identify predictive factors for the occurrence of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). The participants were 73 herpes zoster patients who had been treated at the pain clinic of our hospital between January 2008 and June 2010. Variables present at the initial visit were extracted from the clinical records for regression analysis of factors related to the occurrence of PHN. The following scores for response were used: 0=no PHN after 3 months; 1=PHN present after 3 months but absent after 6 months; and 2=PHN present after 6 months. Multivariate ordered logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the predictive factors for PHN. Advanced age [odds ratio (OR)=2.740, confidence interval (CI)=1.110-6.761; P=0.0288] and deep pain (OR=4.244, CI=1.114-16.163; P=0.0341) at the initial visit to our outpatient pain clinic were found to be significant predictive factors for the occurrence of PHN. Diabetes mellitus (OR=3.075) and pain reduced by bathing (OR=3.389) also had high OR, although they were not significant. Our study indicates that advanced age and deep pain at the initial visit are significant predictors for PHN. Our results are considered likely to contribute to the establishment of evidence-based medicine in the optimal treatment of PHN.