Determinants of neurological syndromes caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV)

Kennedy, P. G.E. and Mogensen, T. H. (2020) Determinants of neurological syndromes caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV). Journal of Neurovirology, 26, pp. 482-495. (doi: 10.1007/s13365-020-00857-w) (PMID:32495195) (PMCID:PMC7438298)

Abstract

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a pathogenic human herpes virus which causes varicella as a primary infection, following which it becomes latent in peripheral autonomic, sensory, and cranial nerve ganglionic neurons from where it may reactivate after decades to cause herpes zoster. VZV reactivation may also cause a wide spectrum of neurological syndromes, in particular, acute encephalitis and vasculopathy. While there is potentially a large number of coding viral mutations that might predispose certain individuals to VZV infections, in practice, a variety of host factors are the main determinants of VZV infection, both disseminated and specifically affecting the nervous system. Host factors include increasing age with diminished cell-mediated immunity to VZV, several primary immunodeficiency syndromes, secondary immunodeficiency syndromes, and drug-induced immunosuppression. In some cases, the molecular immunological basis underlying the increased risk of VZV infections has been defined, in particular, the role of POL III mutations, but in other cases, the mechanisms have yet to be determined. The role of immunization in immunosuppressed individuals as well as its possible efficacy in preventing both generalized and CNS-specific infections will require further investigation to clarify in such patients.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kennedy, Professor Peter
• Authors: Kennedy, P. G.E., and Mogensen, T. H.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Journal of Neurovirology
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 1355-0284
• ISSN (Online): 1538-2443
• Published Online: 03 June 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Neurovirology 26:482–495
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License