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NCHS Data Brief 2020 Jul(370):1-8

Shingles is a painful rash caused by the varicella zoster virus (1). Persons of all ages are at risk for shingles. However, this risk and the risk of complications increase with age (1,2). Read More

J Dig Dis 2020 Jul 29. Epub 2020 Jul 29.

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Aim: This study aims to determine differences in frequencies of vaccine-preventable diseases between alcoholic liver disease and non-alcoholic liver disease patients.

Methods: This is a population-based cohort study, using the USA National Inpatient Sample ICD-9 codes from January 2012 to September 2015. Frequencies of alcoholic liver disease and non-alcoholic liver disease admissions with pneumococcal pneumonia, influenza, herpes zoster virus, varicella zoster virus, hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, human papilloma virus, meningococcal meningitis, diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus were measured. Read More

Pediatr Int 2020 Jul 26. Epub 2020 Jul 26.

Department of Pediatrics, Ishikawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan.

Cureus 2020 Jun 21;12(6):e8745. Epub 2020 Jun 21.

Pulmonary and Critical Care, Richmond University Medical Center, Staten Island, USA.

We present a case of aseptic meningitis due to Varicella-Zoster infection in an immunocompetent patient. Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) causes chickenpox disease in children, teens, and young adults. Typically, it runs its course and stays dormant in nerve tissue, which can get reactivated in elderly, immunocompromised patients. Read More

Int J Med Sci 2020 11;17(12):1811-1818. Epub 2020 Jul 11.

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Herpes zoster develops when latent varicella zoster virus is reactivated in the trigeminal or dorsal root ganglions. Zoster-associated pain (ZAP) is neuropathic pain caused by the herpes zoster virus. Histological studies of postherpetic neuralgia patients suggest that inflammation is involved in ZAP. Read More

Hong Kong Med J 2020 Jul 24. Epub 2020 Jul 24.

Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

Congenital infections refer to a group of perinatal infections that are caused by pathogens transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy (transplacentally) or delivery (peripartum) which may have similar clinical presentations, including rash and ocular findings. TORCH is the acronym that covers these infections (toxoplasmosis, other [syphilis], rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus). Other important causes of intrauterine/perinatal infection include human immunodeficiency virus, varicella-zoster virus, , Zika virus, and parvovirus B19. Read More

Vaccine 2020 Aug 20;38(36):5793-5802. Epub 2020 Jul 20.

MRL, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA. Electronic address:

Shingles is a painful, blistering rash caused by reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and most frequently occurs in elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Currently, two approved vaccines for the prevention of shingles are on the market, a live attenuated virus vaccine ZOSTAVAX® (Merck & Co., Inc. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2020 Jul 23;20(1):538. Epub 2020 Jul 23.

Department of Translational Medicine, DiMet, Università del Piemonte Orientale, via Solaroli 17, 28100, Novara, Italy.

Background: The risk of life-threatening complications, such as visceral disseminated varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection, is greater in immunosuppressed individuals, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.

Case Presentation: Here, a case is reported of a Caucasian woman diagnosed with lupus nephritis and anti-phospholipid syndrome, who was subjected to mycophenolate mofetil and high-dose steroid remission-induction therapy. Two months later she developed abdominal pain followed by a fatal rapid multi-organ failure. Read More

Cureus 2020 Jul 17;12(7):e9235. Epub 2020 Jul 17.

Internal Medicine, Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, Brooklyn, USA.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a human α-herpesvirus which cause primary varicella infection (chicken pox) or herpes zoster infection (shingles) after reactivation of the dormant virus. VZV infection is usually self-limited but disseminated infection can be seen in immunocompromised individuals. It can also get complicated by central nervous system (CNS) involvement. Read More

J Neurovirol 2020 Jul 21. Epub 2020 Jul 21.

Department of Neurology, University Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.

Immunosuppressed patients are at higher risk for developing herpes zoster (HZ), and neurological complications are frequent in them. However, the influence of immunosuppression (IS) on the severity and prognosis of neurological complications of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation is unknown. We studied retrospectively patients with neurological complications due to VZV reactivation who attended our hospital between 2004 and 2019. Read More

Ophthalmol Retina 2020 Jul 16. Epub 2020 Jul 16.

Department of Ophthalmology, Emory Eye Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Electronic address:

Objective: Determine the efficacy of combination intravitreal and systemic antiviral therapy for the treatment of acute retinal necrosis (ARN) and risk factors impacting visual acuity (VA) and retinal detachment (RD) outcomes DESIGN: Single center retrospective case-series PARTICIPANTS: Patients with an ARN diagnosis based on clinical features and polymerase chain reaction confirmation who were treated at a tertiary referral, university-based academic practice METHODS: Patient records were reviewed for demographic information including age and sex. Snellen VA, disease findings including RD outcomes, optic nerve involvement and treatments were recorded. Incidence rates of major VA and RD outcomes were calculated based on the number of events and exposure time. Read More

BMC Pediatr 2020 Jul 18;20(1):348. Epub 2020 Jul 18.

Post-graduated School of Pediatrics, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mother, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy.

Background: Neurological complications due to reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) are very uncommon in immunocompetent patients. Generally a vesicular rash is present on one or more dermatomes, preceding or following the main manifestation. Few cases are reported in the international literature, but they concern mainly adult or elderly patients. Read More

J Neuroimmunol 2020 Jul 7;346:577314. Epub 2020 Jul 7.

Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, Valdemar Hansens vej 13, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark. Electronic address:

Antibody indices to Measles, Mumps, Varicella Zoster (MRZ) are of diagnostic value in multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we have investigated, if this panel could be extended to increase diagnostic value. Samples from relapsing-remitting (RR) MS and optic neuritis (ON) patients were tested for reactivity to antigens from Epstein-Barr, Varicella Zoster, Measles, Mumps and Rubella (EMMRZ) viruses. Read More

J Child Neurol 2020 Jul 17:883073820938597. Epub 2020 Jul 17.

Division of Child Neurology, University of Iowa Children's Hospital, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.

Varicella-zoster virus vaccination is recommended for virtually all young children in the United States, Canada, and several other countries. Varicella vaccine is a live attenuated virus that retains some of its neurotropic properties. Herpes zoster caused by vaccine virus still occurs in immunized children, although the rate is much lower than in children who had wild-type varicella. Read More

Front Microbiol 2020 26;11:1224. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States.

Unraveling the heterogeneity in biological systems provides the key to understanding of the fundamental dynamics that regulate host pathogen relationships at the single cell level. While most studies have determined virus-host cell interactions using cultured cells in bulk, recent advances in deep protein profiling from single cells enable the understanding of the dynamic response equilibrium of single cells even within the same cell types. Mass cytometry allows the simultaneous detection of multiple proteins in single cells, which helps to evaluate alterations in multiple signaling networks that work in tandem in deciding the response of a cell to the presence of a pathogen or other stimulus. Read More

J Neurovirol 2020 Jul 15. Epub 2020 Jul 15.

Department of General Medicine, Government Medical College Hospital, Level 4 D Block, Sector 32, Chandigarh, 160030, India.

Neurological syndromes occur in around 40-70% of HIV-infected people. Direct central nervous system involvement by the virus usually manifests as HIV encephalitis, HIV leucoencephalopathy, vacuolar leucoencephalopathy or vacuolar myelopathy. Indirect involvement is usually associated with neurotropic opportunistic infections which include tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, cryptococcosis and viral encephalitis such as herpes simplex, varicella-zoster, cytomegalovirus and Human polyomavirus 2. Read More

IDCases 2020 4;21:e00902. Epub 2020 Jul 4.

Department of Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States.

Herpes zoster is a common infection resulting from the reactivation of dormant varicella zoster virus in a posterior dorsal root ganglion. The typical dermatomal involvement includes the thoracic region, followed by the face and the cervical and lumbosacral regions, with 1% having disseminated disease. We present a rare case of an immunocompetent 85-year-old man presenting with herpes zoster at the L3-S2 dermatomes, that evolved to disseminated varicella zoster virus (dVZV), with radiologically and laboratory-confirmed lumbosacral plexopathy manifesting with cauda equina syndrome. Read More

Cureus 2020 Jul 4;12(7):e8998. Epub 2020 Jul 4.

Infection Prevention and Control, National Guard Hospital, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Jeddah, SAU.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has a broad spectrum of manifestations. A variety of dermatological manifestations were described. We present a case of an immunocompetent middle-aged man who presented with novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and later developed herpes zoster (HZ). Read More

Cureus 2020 Jun 9;12(6):e8539. Epub 2020 Jun 9.

Infectious Disease, State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, USA.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection is rarely reported in immunocompetent hosts. We report the case of a 40-year-old male who presented with altered mental status. One week prior, he was seen at his outpatient physician's office for a rash along the lateral right thigh. Read More

Open Forum Infect Dis 2020 Jul 2;7(7):ofaa172. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA.

Background: In phase 3 trials, inactivated varicella zoster virus (VZV) vaccine (ZV) was well tolerated and efficacious against herpes zoster (HZ) in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (auto-HSCT) recipients and patients with solid tumor malignancies receiving chemotherapy (STMc) but did not reduce HZ incidence in patients with hematologic malignancies (HMs). Here, we describe ZV immunogenicity from these studies.

Methods: Patients were randomized to ZV or placebo (4 doses). Read More

J Clin Exp Hepatol 2020 Jul-Aug;10(4):339-376. Epub 2020 Apr 28.

Institute of Liver & Digestive Diseases and Head of Hepatology & Liver Transplant (Medicine), BLK Super Speciality Hospital, Delhi, India.

Acute liver failure (ALF) is an infrequent, unpredictable, potentially fatal complication of acute liver injury (ALI) consequent to varied etiologies. Etiologies of ALF as reported in the literature have regional differences, which affects the clinical presentation and natural course. In this part of the consensus article designed to reflect the clinical practices in India, disease burden, epidemiology, clinical presentation, monitoring, and prognostication have been discussed. Read More

Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol 2020 Jul 8. Epub 2020 Jul 8.

Servicio de Oftalmología. Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España.

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus usually presents with ocular manifestations, but neurological complications are much more infrequent. An 84-year-old woman with herpes zoster of the left first trigeminal branch developed herpetic keratouveitis in her left eye despite treatment with oral valaciclovir. Seven days later, a progressive and total left ophthalmoplegia appeared, requiring hospital admission and intravenous treatment with acyclovir and corticosteroids. Read More

PLoS Pathog 2020 Jul 10;16(7):e1008473. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Discipline of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Herpesviruses are known to encode a number of inhibitors of host cell death, including RIP Homotypic Interaction Motif (RHIM)-containing proteins. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a member of the alphaherpesvirus subfamily and is responsible for causing chickenpox and shingles. We have identified a novel viral RHIM in the VZV capsid triplex protein, open reading frame (ORF) 20, that acts as a host cell death inhibitor. Read More

Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2020 Jul 9:1-3. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Department of Ophthalmology, University Vita-Salute, Scientific Institute Ospedale San Raffaele , Milan, Italy.

Purpose: To report a case of acute retinal necrosis (ARN) occurring in the opposite eye to the ophthalmic shingles eruption.

Design: Case report.

Methods: Clinical examination and multimodal imaging review, including ultra-widefield photography and fluorescein angiography (FA). Read More

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2020 Jul 9:1-5. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome, Tor Vergata , Italy.

Varicella is a potentially serious infectious disease caused by Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV). In Italy childhood varicella vaccine have gradually introduced into national immunization program since 2003 and from 2017 a two-doses schedule has been stated nationally for all newborns and has become compulsory for school attendance. VZV exposures among healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients can be really dangerous and expensive. Read More

Daru 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, 16766 Jing-Shi Road, Jinan, 250014, China.

Herpes zoster is an acute, painful, herpes skin disease caused by varicella-zoster virus, which may cause viral meningitis. Pregabalin has been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of pain in patients with herpes zoster. However, it has the side effects of neurotoxicity. Read More

J Pediatr 2020 Jul 3. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA; Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ.

Objective: To determine the utility of ophthalmologic examination as part of evaluation for infection in infants with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Study Design: This is a single-institution retrospective chart review of neonates diagnosed with symmetric IUGR or small for gestational age (SGA) who underwent complete ophthalmologic consultation to assess for intraocular findings suggestive of congenital infection. Data collected included other factors that may cause IUGR, findings of the general and ophthalmologic examination, and results of investigation for intrauterine infection. Read More

Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2020 Jan-Dec;34:2058738420934618

Hemophilia Work Group, Hematology Oncology Center, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China.

The factor VIII (FVIII)-neutralizing antibody (inhibitor) seen in 25%-30% of patients with severe haemophilia A (SHA). Vaccination is a non-genetic risk factor of inhibitor development as 'danger signal' which may provide a pro-inflammatory microenvironment to increase FVIII immunogenicity. We reported a previously treated SHA patient postponed the first vaccination to 15-month age received diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus intramuscularly. Read More

Ann Dermatol Venereol 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Dermatology department, Jean-Bernard hospital, Valenciennes, France.

Introduction: Ixekizumab is a recently developed biopharmaceutical used since 2016 in the US and Europe for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. Few adverse effects have been reported in the literature and ixekizumab is not known to increase the risk of viral reactivation. Herein we report the case of an immunocompetent female patient treated with ixekizumab who presented meningoradiculitis due to varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation. Read More

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2020 May 30;98(1):115095. Epub 2020 May 30.

Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

High cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of the chemokine CXCL13 have been associated with Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB), and have recently been studied as a potential diagnostic marker. It has proven difficult to establish a reliable diagnostic cut-off, possibly in part due to heterogenicity of case-control groups. Our purpose was to investigate CSF CXCL13 concentrations in patients with similar clinical presentations, facial palsy. Read More

Clinicoecon Outcomes Res 2020 8;12:273-283. Epub 2020 Jun 8.

Center for Observational and Real-World Evidence, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.

Background: In 2017, varicella vaccination became mandatory for all children in Italy, based on a two-dose schedule administered at 12-15 months of age and 5 to 6 years of age. Varicella vaccines are available in different formulations (as a single vaccine or as a combination vaccine together with measles, mumps, and rubella) and are made by multiple manufacturers with different effectiveness profiles. This study calculates the cost-effectiveness of a range of varicella vaccination strategies to identify the optimal strategy for Italy. Read More

Korean J Pain 2020 Jul;33(3):208-215

Department of Pain Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.

Zoster sine herpete (ZSH) is one of the atypical clinical manifestations of herpes zoster (HZ), which stems from infection and reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in the cranial nerve, spinal nerve, viscera, or autonomic nerve. Patients with ZSH display variable symptoms, such as neuralgia, however, different from HZ, ZSH show no zoster, which makes clinical diagnosis difficult. ZSH not only causes initial symptoms, such as neuropathic pain in the affected nerve, Bell palsy, and Ramsay Hunt syndrome, but also postherpetic neuralgia and fatal complications such as VZV encephalitis and stroke. Read More

J Med Virol 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland.

Palatine tonsils have been observed to harbor several distinct respiratory and herpesviruses in separate studies. In this study, the presence of these viruses in palatine tonsils was comprehensively studied in both children and adults. A cross-sectional analysis of 181 patients (median age 22 years; range, 2. Read More

Eur J Neurol 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Service de Neurologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de la Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre/Abymes, France.

Background And Purpose: The frequency of infectious encephalitis and the distribution of causative pathogens in tropical areas are poorly known and may be influenced by emerging and rare infections. The aim was to characterize a large series of acute infectious encephalitis and myelitis in immunocompetent patients from the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe identifying clinical, biological and radiological features according to pathogens.

Methods: Using a hospital database, detailed information on a comprehensive series of immunocompetent patients with acute infectious myelitis and encephalitis over the 2012-2018 period was retrospectively collected. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2020 Jun 29;20(1):454. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Department of Dermatology, The Third Hospital of Xiamen, Xiamen, 316000, China.

Background: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes varicella primarily in childhood, and some rare adults also report varicella. Herpes zoster mainly occurs in adults by endogenous reactivation of latent VZV. Until now, varicella and herpes zoster have seldom been reported simultaneously in one patient. Read More

J Vis Exp 2020 Jun 14(160). Epub 2020 Jun 14.

Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University.

This protocol describes a footpad inoculation model used to study the initiation and development of neuroinflammatory responses during alphaherpesvirus infection in mice. As alphaherpesviruses are main invaders of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), this model is suitable to characterize the kinetics of viral replication, its spread from the PNS to CNS, and associated neuroinflammatory responses. The footpad inoculation model allows virus particles to spread from a primary infection site in the footpad epidermis to sensory and sympathetic nerve fibers that innervate the epidermis, sweat glands, and dermis. Read More

J Crohns Colitis 2020 Jun 27. Epub 2020 Jun 27.

Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University Hospital Zurich.

Primary Varicella Zoster virus (VZV) infection results in varicella (chickenpox) while its reactivation results in herpes zoster (HZ; shingles). Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are susceptible to complications of primary VZV infection and have an increased risk of HZ. Concerns of VZV and HZ infection in the IBD population has been highlighted by the emergence of JAK-inhibitors and their safety profile in this patient population such as tofacitinib for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Read More

Open Forum Infect Dis 2020 Jun 26;7(6):ofaa198. Epub 2020 May 26.

Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

We report a case of acute retinal necrosis presenting with acute glaucoma preceding inflammatory signs by several days. High-throughput sequencing on aqueous humor revealed a low-level diversity in the viral genome comparable to diversity seen in cutaneous vesicles in contrast to high diversity in encephalitis. Read More

Indian J Ophthalmol 2020 Jul;68(7):1457-1458

Advanced Eye Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

A 25-year-old man, with a history of hyperthyroidism presented with herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) with neurotrophic ulcer and superadded infection 4 weeks after a sudden decrease in his thyroid hormones, caused by overtreatment of hyperthyroidism and radioactive iodine therapy. He underwent lateral tarsorrhaphy and was started on conservative treatment for the ulcer. The ulcer had resolved after 2 months. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2020 Jun 24;13(6). Epub 2020 Jun 24.

Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) encephalitis typically occurs in immunosuppressed populations such as in patients with HIV/AIDS, transplantation and autoimmune disease. However, it can also occur in healthy hosts. We present the case of an immunocompetent patient who presented with a clinical picture of VZV encephalitis with the sole precipitating factor of advanced age. Read More

J Proteomics 2020 Aug 30;225:103879. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Research center, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing 314001, China. Electronic address:

Herpes zoster (HZ), commonly called shingles, it is a distinctive syndrome caused by reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV). A better understanding of the biological characteristics of HZ patients can help develop new targeted therapies to improve the prognosis. High-throughput proteomics technology can deeply study the molecular changes in the development and progression of HZ disease and integrate different levels of information, this is important to help make clinical decisions. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2020 Jun 22. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

From the Dermatology Department, Ramon y Cajal University Hospital, Alcala University, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Madrid, Spain.

mSphere 2020 Jun 24;5(3). Epub 2020 Jun 24.

Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

Infections with the nine human herpesviruses (HHVs) are globally prevalent and characterized by lifelong persistence. Reactivations can potentially manifest as life-threatening conditions for which the demonstration of viral DNA is essential. In the present study, we developed HERQ-9, a pan-HHV quantitative PCR designed in triplex reactions to differentiate and quantify each of the HHV-DNAs: (i) herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 and varicella-zoster virus; (ii) Epstein-Barr virus, human cytomegalovirus, and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus; and (iii) HHV-6A, -6B, and -7. Read More

Acta Med Okayama 2020 Jun;74(3):257-260

Department of Internal Medicine, Okayama Saiseikai General Hospital, Okayama 700-8511, Japan.

A 65-year-old Japanese woman developed vesicular eruptions on her right ear due to varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation, followed by cranial polyneuritis and meningitis affecting her right cranial nerves V, VII, VIII, IX, and X. After acyclovir administration, her facial paralysis worsened. Intravenous methylprednisolone and vitamin C were administered on Day 4 post-admission. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2020 Jun 22;20(1):435. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Department of Neurology, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, China.

Background: The aseptic meningitis caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation was less described in the literature, most of which were detected by means of polymerase chain reaction. The authors presented 4 adult immunocompetent patients with acute aseptic meningitis with VZV infection diagnosed by next-generation sequencing (NGS).

Case Presentation: Four patients were admitted to the hospital with headache and fever between March 2018 and August 2019. Read More

Antiviral Res 2020 Aug 20;180:104829. Epub 2020 Jun 20.

Department of Virology, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.

Amenamevir is a helicase-primase inhibitor of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and is used for the treatment of herpes zoster in Japan. The half maximal effective concentrations (ECs) of acyclovir and sorivudine for VZV increased as the time of treatment was delayed from 6 to 18 h after infection, while those of amenamevir and foscarnet were not affected. Susceptibility of infected cells at 0 and 18 h after infection was examined with four anti-herpes drugs, and the fold increases in EC for acyclovir, sorivudine, amenamevir, and foscarnet were 13. Read More

Eur J Ophthalmol 2020 Jun 21:1120672120936181. Epub 2020 Jun 21.

Eye Research Center, Rassoul Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Purpose: To report the clinical spectrum, viral etiologies, therapeutic interventions, timing of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRD), and visual outcomes in acute retinal necrosis (ARN) syndrome in a series of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive eyes.

Methods: From January 2010 to January 2017, consecutive patients with the clinical diagnosis of ARN and a positive aqueous viral PCR were included in this observational, retrospective study.

Results: Nineteen eyes found to have a clinical diagnosis of ARN, of which 18 (94. Read More

Clin Infect Dis 2020 Jun 21. Epub 2020 Jun 21.

Viro-immunology Research Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Background: Mumps, measles, rubella, and varicella-zoster viruses (MMRV) may cause severe infections in seronegative adult solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients but can be prevented by vaccination. We aimed to determine MMRV serostatus in adult SOT recipients before and one-year post-transplantation as well as evidence of MMRV infections in a large, prospective cohort of SOT recipients.

Methods: A prospective study of 1182 adult SOT recipients included in the Management of Posttransplant Infections in Collaborating Hospitals (MATCH) cohort from 2011 to 2017 with a one-year follow-up. Read More

BMC Ophthalmol 2020 Jun 19;20(1):242. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-720, South Korea.

Background: This study aimed to assess and compare the clinical value of aqueous humor polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and serologic tests in patients diagnosed with suspected infectious uveitis.

Methods: In this retrospective observational study, data of 358 patients who were diagnosed with suspected infectious uveitis and who underwent aqueous humor PCR testing were analyzed. PCR and serologic test results were compared with the clinical features. Read More

PLoS One 2020 18;15(6):e0233957. Epub 2020 Jun 18.

Department of Dermatology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America.

Introduction: Autoantibodies (autoAbs) against desmoglein-1 (DSG1) and desmoglein-3 (DSG3) have conventionally been studied and well accepted in the pathogenesis of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and foliaceus (PF). Recent studies have suggested that non-DSG autoAbs may contribute to the pathogenesis of pemphigus, including autoAbs directed at acetylcholine receptors (AChR) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO). The purpose of this study is to retrospectively analyze PV and PF patient sera to better understand the relationship between anti-AChR and -TPO Abs to disease activity and DSG reactivity between patients treated with prednisone and steroid sparing agents (SSA; n = 22) or prednisone and rituximab (n = 21). Read More