acyclovir and Vascular-Diseases

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation results in zoster, which may be complicated by postherpetic neuralgia, myelitis, meningoencephalitis, and VZV vasculopathy. This review highlights the clinical features, laboratory abnormalities, imaging changes, and optimal treatment of each of those conditions. Because all of these neurological disorders produced by VZV reactivation can occur in the absence of rash, the virological tests proving that VZV caused disease are discussed.. After primary infection, VZV becomes latent in ganglionic neurons along the entire neuraxis. With a decline in VZV-specific cell-mediated immunity, VZV reactivates from ganglia and travels anterograde to the skin to cause zoster, which is often complicated by postherpetic neuralgia. VZV can also travel retrograde to produce meningoencephalitis, myelitis, and stroke. When these complications occur without rash, VZV-induced disease can be diagnosed by detection of VZV DNA or anti-VZV antibody in cerebrospinal fluid and treated with intravenous acyclovir.. Awareness of the expanding spectrum of neurological complications caused by VZV reactivation with and without rash will improve diagnosis and treatment.

Topics: Acyclovir; Antibodies, Viral; Antiviral Agents; DNA, Viral; Encephalitis, Varicella Zoster; Herpes Zoster; Herpesvirus 3, Human; Humans; Myelitis; Neuralgia, Postherpetic; Vascular Diseases; Virus Latency

itor Title: Varicella zoster virus reactivation antedating ipsilateral brainstem stroke Authors: Giuliana Galassi1, Maurilio Genovese2, Marisa Meacci3, Marcella Malagoli2 Affiliations: 1Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, Neural Sciences, University Hospital of Modena, Italy, 2Neuroradiology Service, University Hospital of Modena, Italy, 3Department of Laboratory Medicine and Patholgy, Microbiology and Virology Unit, University Hospital of Modena, Italy Corresponding Author: Giuliana Galassi, MD, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, Neural Sciences, University Hospital of Modena, Via P. Giardini 1455, Modena, Italy, Tel: 39-3497325802, Email: giulianagalassi46@gmail.com Abstract: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection and reactivation are associated with a number of neurologic conditions. Unifocal large vessel infarcts may follow zoster in the trigeminal or cervical distribution as a result of transaxonal transport of virus from trigeminal or cervical afferent fibers that innervate vessels. Ophthalmic zoster (HZO) might cause ophthalmoplegic syndromes, with secondary optic neuritis. Mechanisms include local orbital muscle inflammation and, viral spread from the ophthalmic branch of the fifth nerve with associated vasculopathy. A 72-year-old man developed a vesicular rash in the territory of C5-T5-6. Within four weeks, the patient developed headache, dysphagia, left facial and extremity ataxic weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a right pontine infarction. A 66-year-old woman presented with right-sided painfull HZO. One week later she developed complete external ophthalmoplegia and blurred vision. MRI showed ill-defined signal alteration in the retrobulbar tissue. Three weeks later, the patient was admitted because of dysarthria, deviated tongue, left-sided limb weakness, and tactile hypoesthesia. Spinal fluid contained 23 lymphocytes/mm3 and increased protein. The serum contained antibodies to VZV IgG and IgM in both cases. The patients received intravenously acyclovir with improvement. This report confirms unusual occurrence of ipsilateral brainstem stroke after VZV reactivation in immunocompetent subjects.

Topics: Acyclovir; Aged; Antibodies, Viral; Antiviral Agents; Brain Stem Infarctions; Female; Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus; Herpesvirus 3, Human; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Pons; Vascular Diseases; Virus Activation

The field of pediatric dermatology has been rich in new developments. Part II of this continuing medical education article will focus on new therapeutic modalities for several entities encountered in pediatric dermatology. The treatment of atopic dermatitis, exciting advances in the use of propranolol and other beta-blockers for the use of infantile hemangiomas, the use of rapamycin for vascular anomalies, the use of biologics in children, the central nervous system risks of general anesthesia in young children, side effects in the use of isotretinoin, the treatment of tinea capitis, treatment of herpes simplex infections, and the use of technologies such as texting and social media in medicine will be discussed.

Topics: Acyclovir; Antiviral Agents; Dermatitis, Atopic; Dermatology; Hemangioma; Humans; Internet; Propranolol; Skin Diseases; Social Media; Tinea Capitis; Vascular Diseases; Vasodilator Agents