Linked Life Data

20510263

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/20510263

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:dateCreated
2010-5-31
pubmed:abstractText
The primary varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection results in chickenpox (varicella), which is transmitted via the airborne route. VZV is highly infectious, but in the USA the incidence of varicella has been reduced by 76-87% as a result of the varicella vaccine. The virus establishes latency in the dorsal root ganglia during varicella and, when reactivated, travels along the sensory nerve axons to cause shingles (herpes zoster [HZ]). There are over 1 million cases of HZ in the USA each year, with an estimated lifetime attack rate of 30%. The incidence of HZ, which causes significant morbidity, increases with age and reaches approximately 10 cases per 1,000 patient-years by age 80. Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) is known to decline with age as part of immunosenescence, and decreased CMI is associated with reactivation of VZV. This article provides an overview of our emerging understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of varicella and HZ, in addition to exploring the current theories on latency and reactivation. Understanding the risk factors for developing HZ and the complications associated with infection, particularly in older people, is important for prompt diagnosis and management of HZ in primary care, and they are therefore also reviewed.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
May
pubmed:issn
1873-5967
pubmed:author
pubmed:copyrightInfo
2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:volume
48 Suppl 1
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
S2-7
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2010
pubmed:articleTitle
Advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis and epidemiology of herpes zoster.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Review, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't