Varicella zoster virus

Last updated
Human alphaherpesvirus 3
Varicella (Chickenpox) Virus PHIL 1878 lores.jpg
Electron micrograph of a Human alphaherpesvirus 3 virion
Virus classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
(unranked): Virus
Realm: Duplodnaviria
Kingdom: Heunggongvirae
Phylum: Peploviricota
Class: Herviviricetes
Order: Herpesvirales
Family: Orthoherpesviridae
Genus: Varicellovirus
Species:
Human alphaherpesvirus 3
Synonyms
  • Varicella-zoster virus, [1] VZV
  • Human herpesvirus 3, HHV-3, HHV3, Human alphaherpesvirus 3 [2]

Varicella zoster virus (VZV), also known as human herpesvirus 3 (HHV-3, HHV3) or Human alphaherpesvirus 3 (taxonomically), is one of nine known herpes viruses that can infect humans. It causes chickenpox (varicella) commonly affecting children and young adults, and shingles (herpes zoster) in adults but rarely in children. As a late complication of VZV infection, Ramsay Hunt syndrome type 2 may develop in rare cases. VZV infections are species-specific to humans. The virus can survive in external environments for a few hours. [3]

Contents

VZV multiplies in the tonsils, and causes a wide variety of symptoms. Similar to the herpes simplex viruses, after primary infection with VZV (chickenpox), the virus lies dormant in neurons, including the cranial nerve ganglia, dorsal root ganglia, and autonomic ganglia. Many years after the person has recovered from initial chickenpox infection, VZV can reactivate to cause shingles. [4]

Epidemiology

Chickenpox

Primary varicella zoster virus infection results in chickenpox (varicella), which may result in complications including encephalitis, pneumonia (either direct viral pneumonia or secondary bacterial pneumonia), or bronchitis (either viral bronchitis or secondary bacterial bronchitis). Even when clinical symptoms of chickenpox have resolved, VZV remains dormant in the nervous system of the infected person (virus latency), in the trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia. [5] VZV enters through the respiratory system and has an incubation period of 10–21 days, with an average of 14 days. Targeting the skin and peripheral nerves, the period of illness lasts about 3 to 4 days. Infected individuals are most contagious 1–2 days before the lesions appear. Signs and symptoms include vesicles that fill with pus, rupture, and scab before healing. Lesions most commonly occur on the face, throat, the lower back, the chest and shoulders. [6]

Shingles

In about a third of cases, [7] VZV reactivates in later life, producing a disease known as shingles or herpes zoster. The individual lifetime risk of developing herpes zoster is thought to be between 20% and 30%, or approximately 1 in 4 people. However, for people aged 85 and over, this risk increases to 1 in 2. [8] In a study in Sweden by Nilsson et al. (2015) the annual incidence of herpes zoster infection is estimated at a total of 315 cases per 100,000 inhabitants for all ages and 577 cases per 100,000 for people 50 years of age or older. [9]

VZV can also infect the central nervous system, with a 2013 article reporting an incidence rate of 1.02 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in Switzerland, and an annual incidence rate of 1.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in Sweden. [10]

Shingles lesions and the associated pain, often described as burning, tend to occur on the skin that is innervated by one or two adjacent sensory nerves, almost always on one side of the body only. The skin lesions usually subside over the course of several weeks, while the pain often persists longer. In 10–15% of cases the pain persists more than three months, a chronic and often disabling condition known as postherpetic neuralgia. Other serious complications of varicella zoster infection include Mollaret's meningitis, zoster multiplex, and inflammation of arteries in the brain leading to stroke, [11] myelitis, herpes ophthalmicus, or zoster sine herpete. In Ramsay Hunt syndrome, VZV affects the geniculate ganglion giving lesions that follow specific branches of the facial nerve. Symptoms may include painful blisters on the tongue and ear along with one-sided facial weakness and hearing loss. After infection during initial stages of pregnancy, the fetus can be severely damaged. Reye's syndrome can happen after initial infection, causing continuous vomiting and signs of brain dysfunction such as extreme drowsiness or combative behavior. In some cases, death or coma can follow. Reye's syndrome mostly affects children and teenagers; using aspirin during infection can increase this risk. [6]

Morphology

VZV is closely related to the herpes simplex viruses (HSV), sharing much genome homology. The known envelope glycoproteins (gB, gC, gE, gH, gI, gK, gL) correspond with those in HSV; however, there is no equivalent of the HSV gD protein. VZV also fails to produce the LAT (latency-associated transcripts) that play an important role in establishing HSV latency (herpes simplex virus). [12] VZV virions are spherical and 180–200 nm in diameter. Their lipid envelope encloses the 100 nm nucleocapsid of 162 hexameric and pentameric capsomeres arranged in an icosahedral form. Its DNA is a single, linear, double-stranded molecule, 125,000  nt long. The capsid is surrounded by loosely associated proteins known collectively as the tegument; many of these proteins play critical roles in initiating the process of virus reproduction in the infected cell. The tegument is in turn covered by a lipid envelope studded with glycoproteins that are displayed on the exterior of the virion, each approximately 8 nm long. [13]

Genomes

The genome was first sequenced in 1986. [14] It is a linear duplex DNA molecule, a laboratory strain has 124,884 base pairs. The genome has two predominant isomers, depending on the orientation of the S segment, P (prototype) and IS (inverted S) which are present with equal frequency for a total frequency of 90–95%. The L segment can also be inverted resulting in a total of four linear isomers (IL and ILS). This is distinct from HSV's equiprobable distribution, and the discriminatory mechanism is not known. A small percentage of isolated molecules are circular genomes, about which little is known. (It is known that HSV circularizes on infection.) There are at least 70 open reading frames in the genome.

Evolution

Commonality with HSV1 and HSV2 indicates a common ancestor; five genes (out of about 70) do not have corresponding HSV genes. Relation with other human herpes viruses is less strong, but many homologues and conserved gene blocks are still found.

There are at least five clades of this virus. [15] Clades 1 and 3 include European/North American strains; clade 2 are Asian strains, especially from Japan; and clade 5 appears to be based in India. Clade 4 includes some strains from Europe but its geographic origins need further clarification. There are also four genotypes that do not fit into these clades. [16] Allocation of VZV strains to clades required sequence of whole virus genome. Practically all molecular epidemiological data on global VZV strains distribution are obtained with targeted sequencing of selected regions.

Phylogenetic analysis of VZV genomic sequences resolves wild-type strains into nine genotypes (E1, E2, J, M1, M2, M3, M4, VIII and IX). [17] [18] Complete sequences for M3 and M4 strains are unavailable, but targeted analyses of representative strains suggest they are stable, circulating VZV genotypes. Sequence analysis of VZV isolates identified both shared and specific markers for every genotype and validated a unified VZV genotyping strategy. Despite high genotype diversity no evidence for intra-genotypic recombination was observed. Five of seven VZV genotypes were reliably discriminated using only four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) present in ORF22, and the E1 and E2 genotypes were resolved using SNP located in ORF21, ORF22 or ORF50. Sequence analysis of 342 clinical varicella and zoster specimens from 18 European countries identified the following distribution of VZV genotypes: E1, 221 (65%); E2, 87 (25%); M1, 20 (6%); M2, 3 (1%); M4, 11 (3%). No M3 or J strains were observed. [17] Of 165 clinical varicella and zoster isolates from Australia and New Zealand typed using this approach, 67 of 127 eastern Australian isolates were E1, 30 were E2, 16 were J, 10 were M1, and 4 were M2; 25 of 38 New Zealand isolates were E1, 8 were E2, and 5 were M1. [19]

The mutation rate for synonymous and nonsynonymous mutation rates among the herpesviruses have been estimated at 1 × 10−7 and 2.7 × 10−8 mutations/site/year, respectively, based on the highly conserved gB gene. [20]

Treatment

Within the human body it can be treated by a number of drugs and therapeutic agents including acyclovir for chickenpox, famciclovir, valaciclovir for the shingles, zoster-immune globulin (ZIG), and vidarabine. [21] Acyclovir is frequently used as the drug of choice in primary VZV infections, and beginning its administration early can significantly shorten the duration of any symptoms. However, reaching an effective serum concentration of acyclovir typically requires intravenous administration, making its use more difficult outside of a hospital. [22]

Vaccination

A live attenuated VZV Oka/Merck strain vaccine is available and is marketed in the United States under the trade name Varivax. It was developed by Merck, Sharp & Dohme in the 1980s from the Oka strain virus isolated and attenuated by Michiaki Takahashi and colleagues in the 1970s. It was submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval in 1990 and was approved in 1995. Since then, it has been added to the recommended vaccination schedules for children in Australia, the United States, and many other countries. Varicella vaccination has raised concerns in some that the immunity induced by the vaccine may not be lifelong, possibly leaving adults vulnerable to more severe disease as the immunity from their childhood immunization wanes. Vaccine coverage in the United States in the population recommended for vaccination is approaching 90%, with concomitant reductions in the incidence of varicella cases and hospitalizations and deaths due to VZV.[ citation needed ] So far, clinical data has proved that the vaccine is effective for over ten years in preventing varicella infection in healthy individuals, and when breakthrough infections do occur, illness is typically mild. [23] In 2006, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended a second dose of vaccine before school entry to ensure the maintenance of high levels of varicella immunity. [24]

In 2006, the FDA approved Zostavax for the prevention of shingles. Zostavax is a more concentrated formulation of the Varivax vaccine, designed to elicit an immune response in older adults whose immunity to VZV wanes with advancing age. A systematic review by Cochrane (updated in 2023) shows that Zostavax reduces the incidence of shingles by almost 50%. [25]

Shingrix is a subunit vaccine (HHV3 glycoprotein E) developed by GlaxoSmithKline which was approved in the United States by the FDA in October 2017. [26] The ACIP recommended Shingrix for adults over the age of 50, including those who have already received Zostavax. The committee voted that Shingrix is preferred over Zostavax for the prevention of zoster and related complications because phase 3 clinical data showed vaccine efficacy of >90% against shingles across all age groups, as well as sustained efficacy over a four-year follow-up. Unlike Zostavax, which is given as a single shot, Shingrix is given as two intramuscular doses, two to six months apart. [27] This vaccine has shown to be immunogenic and safe in adults with human immunodeficiency virus. [28]

History

Chickenpox-like rashes were recognized and described by ancient civilizations; the relationship between zoster and chickenpox was not realized until 1888. [29] In 1943, the similarity between virus particles isolated from the lesions of zoster and those from chickenpox was noted. [30] In 1974 the first chickenpox vaccine was introduced. [31]

The varicella zoster virus was first isolated by Evelyn Nicol while she was working at Cleveland City Hospital. [32] Thomas Huckle Weller also isolated the virus and found evidence that the same virus was responsible for both chickenpox and herpes zoster. [33]

The etymology of the name of the virus comes from the two diseases it causes, varicella and herpes zoster. The word varicella is possibly derived from variola, a term for smallpox coined by Rudolph Augustin Vogel in 1764. [34]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ramsay Hunt syndrome type 2</span> Presentation of shingles in the geniculate ganglion

Ramsay Hunt syndrome type 2, commonly referred to simply as Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) and also known as herpes zoster oticus, is inflammation of the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve as a late consequence of varicella zoster virus (VZV). In regard to the frequency, less than 1% of varicella zoster infections involve the facial nerve and result in RHS. It is traditionally defined as a triad of ipsilateral facial paralysis, otalgia, and vesicles close to the ear and auditory canal. Due to its proximity to the vestibulocochlear nerve, the virus can spread and cause hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. It is common for diagnoses to be overlooked or delayed, which can raise the likelihood of long-term consequences. It is more complicated than Bell's palsy. Therapy aims to shorten its overall length, while also providing pain relief and averting any consequences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shingles</span> Viral disease caused by the varicella zoster virus

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters in a localized area. Typically the rash occurs in a single, wide mark either on the left or right side of the body or face. Two to four days before the rash occurs there may be tingling or local pain in the area. Other common symptoms are fever, headache, and tiredness. The rash usually heals within two to four weeks; however, some people develop ongoing nerve pain which can last for months or years, a condition called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). In those with poor immune function the rash may occur widely. If the rash involves the eye, vision loss may occur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keratitis</span> Medical condition

Keratitis is a condition in which the eye's cornea, the clear dome on the front surface of the eye, becomes inflamed. The condition is often marked by moderate to intense pain and usually involves any of the following symptoms: pain, impaired eyesight, photophobia, red eye and a 'gritty' sensation. Diagnosis of infectious keratitis is usually made clinically based on the signs and symptoms as well as eye examination, but corneal scrapings may be obtained and evaluated using microbiological culture or other testing to identify the causative pathogen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aciclovir</span> Antiviral medication used against herpes, chickenpox, and shingles

Aciclovir, also known as acyclovir, is an antiviral medication. It is primarily used for the treatment of herpes simplex virus infections, chickenpox, and shingles. Other uses include prevention of cytomegalovirus infections following transplant and severe complications of Epstein–Barr virus infection. It can be taken by mouth, applied as a cream, or injected.

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is neuropathic pain that occurs due to damage to a peripheral nerve caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus. PHN is defined as pain in a dermatomal distribution that lasts for at least 90 days after an outbreak of herpes zoster. Several types of pain may occur with PHN including continuous burning pain, episodes of severe shooting or electric-like pain, and a heightened sensitivity to gentle touch which would not otherwise cause pain or to painful stimuli. Abnormal sensations and itching may also occur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valaciclovir</span> Antiviral medication

Valaciclovir, also spelled valacyclovir, is an antiviral medication used to treat outbreaks of herpes simplex or herpes zoster (shingles). It is also used to prevent cytomegalovirus following a kidney transplant in high risk cases. It is taken by mouth.

Viral pneumonia is a pneumonia caused by a virus. Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation in one or both of the lungs. The pulmonary alveoli fill with fluid or pus making it difficult to breathe. Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Viruses are the most common cause of pneumonia in children, while in adults bacteria are a more common cause.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brivudine</span> Chemical compound

Brivudine is an antiviral drug used in the treatment of herpes zoster ("shingles"). Like other antivirals, it acts by inhibiting replication of the target virus.

<i>Herpesviridae</i> Family of DNA viruses

Herpesviridae is a large family of DNA viruses that cause infections and certain diseases in animals, including humans. The members of this family are also known as herpesviruses. The family name is derived from the Greek word ἕρπειν, referring to spreading cutaneous lesions, usually involving blisters, seen in flares of herpes simplex 1, herpes simplex 2 and herpes zoster (shingles). In 1971, the International Committee on the Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) established Herpesvirus as a genus with 23 viruses among four groups. As of 2020, 115 species are recognized, all but one of which are in one of the three subfamilies. Herpesviruses can cause both latent and lytic infections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HHV Infected Cell Polypeptide 0</span> Protein

Human Herpes Virus (HHV) Infected Cell Polypeptide 0 (ICP0) is a protein, encoded by the DNA of herpes viruses. It is produced by herpes viruses during the earliest stage of infection, when the virus has recently entered the host cell; this stage is known as the immediate-early or α ("alpha") phase of viral gene expression. During these early stages of infection, ICP0 protein is synthesized and transported to the nucleus of the infected host cell. Here, ICP0 promotes transcription from viral genes, disrupts structures in the nucleus known as nuclear dots or promyelocytic leukemia (PML) nuclear bodies, and alters the expression of host and viral genes in combination with a neuron specific protein. At later stages of cellular infection, ICP0 relocates to the cell cytoplasm to be incorporated into new virion particles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zoster vaccine</span> Vaccine to prevent shingles

A zoster vaccine is a vaccine that reduces the incidence of herpes zoster (shingles), a disease caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, which is also responsible for chickenpox. Shingles provokes a painful rash with blisters, and can be followed by chronic pain, as well as other complications. Older people are more often affected, as are people with weakened immune systems (immunosuppression). Both shingles and postherpetic neuralgia can be prevented by vaccination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Varicella vaccine</span> Vaccine to prevent chickenpox

Varicella vaccine, also known as chickenpox vaccine, is a vaccine that protects against chickenpox. One dose of vaccine prevents 95% of moderate disease and 100% of severe disease. Two doses of vaccine are more effective than one. If given to those who are not immune within five days of exposure to chickenpox it prevents most cases of disease. Vaccinating a large portion of the population also protects those who are not vaccinated. It is given by injection just under the skin. Another vaccine, known as zoster vaccine, is used to prevent diseases caused by the same virus – the varicella zoster virus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mollaret's meningitis</span> Medical condition

Mollaret's meningitis is a recurrent or chronic inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. Since Mollaret's meningitis is a recurrent, benign (non-cancerous), aseptic meningitis, it is also referred to as benign recurrent lymphocytic meningitis. It was named for Pierre Mollaret, the French neurologist who first described it in 1944.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chickenpox</span> Human viral disease

Chickenpox, or chicken pox, also known as varicella, is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease caused by the initial infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV), a member of the herpesvirus family. The disease results in a characteristic skin rash that forms small, itchy blisters, which eventually scab over. It usually starts on the chest, back, and face. It then spreads to the rest of the body. The rash and other symptoms, such as fever, tiredness, and headaches, usually last five to seven days. Complications may occasionally include pneumonia, inflammation of the brain, and bacterial skin infections. The disease is usually more severe in adults than in children.

In medicine, varicella zoster virus globulin, VZV antibodies, zoster immunoglobulin (ZIG), varicella zoster immune globulin, is an immune system medication that is used mostly for immunosuppressed patients who have been or may be exposed to the varicella zoster virus (VZV).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epigenetics of human herpesvirus latency</span>

Human herpes viruses, also known as HHVs, are part of a family of DNA viruses that cause several diseases in humans. One of the most notable functions of this virus family is their ability to enter a latent phase and lay dormant within animals for extended periods of time. The mechanism that controls this is very complex because expression of viral proteins during latency is decreased a great deal, meaning that the virus must have transcription of its genes repressed. There are many factors and mechanisms that control this process and epigenetics is one way this is accomplished. Epigenetics refers to persistent changes in expression patterns that are not caused by changes to the DNA sequence. This happens through mechanisms such as methylation and acetylation of histones, DNA methylation, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNA). Altering the acetylation of histones creates changes in expression by changing the binding affinity of histones to DNA, making it harder or easier for transcription machinery to access the DNA. Methyl and acetyl groups can also act as binding sites for transcription factors and enzymes that further modify histones or alter the DNA itself.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Straus</span> American virologist and science administrator

Stephen E. Straus was an American physician, immunologist, virologist and science administrator. He is particularly known for his research into human herpesviruses and chronic fatigue syndrome, and for his discovery of the autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome genetic disorder. He headed the Laboratory of Clinical Investigation of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and served as the founding director of the NIH's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Judith Breuer is a British virologist who is professor of virology and director of the Pathogen Genomics Unit at University College London. She was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2019. Breuer is part of the United Kingdom genome sequencing team that looks to map the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019.

Live recombinant vaccines are biological preparations that stimulate immune responses to a pathogen through the use of genetically modified live bacteria or viruses. These live pathogens are biologically engineered to express exogenous antigens in the cytoplasm of target cells, thereby triggering immune responses. This form of vaccine combines the beneficial features of attenuated and recombinant vaccines, providing the long-lasting immunity of attenuated vaccines’ with recombinant vaccines’ genetically engineered precision and safety.

Anne Gershon is an infectious disease researcher and professor of pediatrics at Columbia University. She is best known for her work on the varicella-zoster virus, the causative agent for chickenpox. In the 1970s, she ran clinical trials for the varicella vaccine which showed that the vaccine was safe for children with leukemia. She also developed the first sensitive test for chickenpox.

References

  1. "ICTV 9th Report (2011) Herpesviridae". International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). Archived from the original on December 22, 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2019. Human herpesvirus 3 Human herpesvirus 3 [X04370=NC_001348] (HHV-3) (Varicella-zoster virus)
  2. "ICTV Taxonomy history: Human alphaherpesvirus 3". International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  3. "Pathogen Safety Data Sheets: Infectious Substances – Varicella-zoster virus". canada.ca. Pathogen Regulation Directorate, Public Health Agency of Canada. 2012-04-30. Retrieved 2017-10-10.
  4. Nagel MA, Gilden DH (July 2007). "The protean neurologic manifestations of varicella-zoster virus infection". Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. 74 (7): 489–94, 496, 498–9 passim. doi:10.3949/ccjm.74.7.489. PMID   17682626.
  5. Steiner I, Kennedy PG, Pachner AR (November 2007). "The neurotropic herpes viruses: herpes simplex and varicella-zoster". The Lancet. Neurology. 6 (11): 1015–28. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(07)70267-3. PMID   17945155. S2CID   6691444.
  6. 1 2 Tortora G. Microbiology: An Introduction. Pearson. pp. 601–602.
  7. Harpaz R, Ortega-Sanchez IR, Seward JF (June 2008). "Prevention of herpes zoster: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)". MMWR. Recommendations and Reports. 57 (RR-5): 1–30, quiz CE2-4. PMID   18528318.
  8. Pinchinat S, Cebrián-Cuenca AM, Bricout H, Johnson RW (April 2013). "Similar herpes zoster incidence across Europe: results from a systematic literature review". BMC Infectious Diseases. 13 (1): 170. doi: 10.1186/1471-2334-13-170 . PMC   3637114 . PMID   23574765.
  9. Nilsson J, Cassel T, Lindquist L (May 2015). "Burden of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia in Sweden". BMC Infectious Diseases. 15: 215. doi: 10.1186/s12879-015-0951-7 . PMC   4493830 . PMID   26002038.
  10. Becerra JC, Sieber R, Martinetti G, Costa ST, Meylan P, Bernasconi E (July 2013). "Infection of the central nervous system caused by varicella zoster virus reactivation: a retrospective case series study". International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 17 (7): e529-34. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2013.01.031 . PMID   23566589.
  11. Nagel MA, Cohrs RJ, Mahalingam R, Wellish MC, Forghani B, Schiller A, et al. (March 2008). "The varicella zoster virus vasculopathies: clinical, CSF, imaging, and virologic features". Neurology. 70 (11): 853–60. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000304747.38502.e8. PMC   2938740 . PMID   18332343.
  12. Arvin AM (July 1996). "Varicella-zoster virus". Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 9 (3): 361–81. doi: 10.1128/CMR.9.3.361 . PMC   172899 . PMID   8809466.
  13. Han DH (25 October 2017). "General Characteristics and Epidemiology of varicella-zoster virus (VZV)". The Lecturio Medical Concept Library. Medical Professionals Reference (MPR). Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  14. Davison AJ, Scott JE (September 1986). "The complete DNA sequence of varicella-zoster virus". The Journal of General Virology. 67 (9): 1759–816. doi: 10.1099/0022-1317-67-9-1759 . PMID   3018124.
  15. Chow VT, Tipples GA, Grose C (August 2013). "Bioinformatics of varicella-zoster virus: single nucleotide polymorphisms define clades and attenuated vaccine genotypes". Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 18: 351–6. doi:10.1016/j.meegid.2012.11.008. PMC   3594394 . PMID   23183312.
  16. Grose C (September 2012). "Pangaea and the Out-of-Africa Model of Varicella-Zoster Virus Evolution and Phylogeography". Journal of Virology. 86 (18): 9558–65. doi:10.1128/JVI.00357-12. PMC   3446551 . PMID   22761371.
  17. 1 2 Loparev VN, Rubtcova EN, Bostik V, Tzaneva V, Sauerbrei A, Robo A, et al. (January 2009). "Distribution of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) wild-type genotypes in northern and southern Europe: evidence for high conservation of circulating genotypes". Virology. 383 (2): 216–25. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2008.10.026 . PMID   19019403.
  18. Zell R, Taudien S, Pfaff F, Wutzler P, Platzer M, Sauerbrei A (February 2012). "Sequencing of 21 varicella-zoster virus genomes reveals two novel genotypes and evidence of recombination". Journal of Virology. 86 (3): 1608–22. doi:10.1128/JVI.06233-11. PMC   3264370 . PMID   22130537.
  19. Loparev VN, Rubtcova EN, Bostik V, Govil D, Birch CJ, Druce JD, et al. (December 2007). "Identification of five major and two minor genotypes of varicella-zoster virus strains: a practical two-amplicon approach used to genotype clinical isolates in Australia and New Zealand". Journal of Virology. 81 (23): 12758–65. doi:10.1128/JVI.01145-07. PMC   2169114 . PMID   17898056.
  20. McGeoch DJ, Cook S (April 1994). "Molecular phylogeny of the alphaherpesvirinae subfamily and a proposed evolutionary timescale". Journal of Molecular Biology. 238 (1): 9–22. doi:10.1006/jmbi.1994.1264. PMID   8145260.
  21. Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) (March 2012). "FDA approval of an extended period for administering VariZIG for postexposure prophylaxis of varicella" (PDF). MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 61 (12): 212. PMID   22456121.
  22. Cornelissen CN (2013). Lippincott's illustrated reviews: Microbiology (3rd ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Health. pp. 255–272.
  23. "Prevention of varicella: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention". MMWR. Recommendations and Reports. 45 (RR-11): 1–36. July 1996. PMID   8668119.
  24. Marin M, Güris D, Chaves SS, Schmid S, Seward JF, et al. (Advisory Committee On Immunization Practices) (June 2007). "Prevention of varicella: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)". MMWR. Recommendations and Reports. 56 (RR-4): 1–40. PMID   17585291.
  25. de Oliveira Gomes J, Gagliardi AM, Andriolo BN, Torloni MR, Andriolo RB, Puga ME, Canteiro Cruz E (October 2023). "Vaccines for preventing herpes zoster in older adults". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 10 (10): CD008858. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008858.pub5. PMC   10542961 . PMID   37781954.
  26. Gruber MF (20 October 2017). "Biologics License Application (BLA) for Zoster Vaccine Recombinant, Adjuvant" (PDF). Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  27. Han HD (25 October 2017). "ACIP: New Vaccine Recommendations for Shingles Prevention". Medical Professionals Reference (MPR). Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  28. Berkowitz EM, Moyle G, Stellbrink HJ, Schürmann D, Kegg S, Stoll M, et al. (April 2015). "Safety and immunogenicity of an adjuvanted herpes zoster subunit candidate vaccine in HIV-infected adults: a phase 1/2a randomized, placebo-controlled study". The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 211 (8): 1279–87. doi:10.1093/infdis/jiu606. PMC   4371767 . PMID   25371534.
  29. Wood MJ (October 2000). "History of Varicella Zoster Virus". Herpes: The Journal of the IHMF. 7 (3): 60–65. PMID   11867004.
  30. Ruska H (1943). "Über das Virus der Varicellen und des Zoster". Klin Wochenschr. 22 (46–47): 703–704. doi:10.1007/bf01768631. S2CID   11118674.
  31. Takahashi M, Otsuka T, Okuno Y, Asano Y, Yazaki T (November 1974). "Live vaccine used to prevent the spread of varicella in children in hospital". Lancet. 2 (7892): 1288–90. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(74)90144-5. PMID   4139526.
  32. Frellick M (July 1, 2020). "Pioneering Molecular Biologist Dies of COVID-19 at 89". Medscape. Retrieved Sep 19, 2022.
  33. Ligon BL (January 2002). "Thomas Huckle Weller MD: Nobel Laureate and research pioneer in poliomyelitis, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, rubella, and other infectious diseases". Seminars in Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 13 (1): 55–63. doi:10.1053/spid.2002.31314. PMID   12118846.
  34. "Etymologia: Varicella Zoster Virus". Emerging Infectious Diseases. 21 (4): 698. 2015. doi:10.3201/eid2104.ET2104. PMC   4378502 .