University:
Eastern Kentucky University
Course:
BIO 273 | Clinical Microbiology
Academic year:

2022
Views:

40

Pages:

2
Author:

Maverick Martin

Varicella Zoster Virus Features: 1. Herpes virus family 2. Enveloped virus 3. TORCHeS infection Transmission: Respiratory droplets Pathogenesis: 1. VZV remains latent in dorsal root ganglia a. Reactivated by: i. Immunocompromisation ii. Stress iii. Aging b. Reactivated form is called Herpes zoster or shingles i. These have a “due drops on a rose” appearance with dermatomal distribution ii. Affects thoracic dermatomes iii. Extremely painful iv. If it crosses the midline, it means that the patient is immunocompromised v. Postherpetic neuralgia occurs (which is the pain after the rash subsides) vi. Sometimes it affects the trigeminal nerve in immunocompromised host 1. This leads Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus (loss of vision) if V1 is affected Diseases: 1. Chicken pox a. Childhood exanthema b. Fever c. Headache d. Rash i. “Due drops on a rose” or vesicular appearance ii. Lesions are in different stages of healing 2. Congenital Varicella Syndrome a. If mother infected during first two trimesters b. Symptoms include: i. Limb hypoplasia ii. Cutaneous dermatomal scarring iii. Blindness 3. Pneumonia a. Adult presentation with chicken pox In small pox, the lesions are in the same stage of healing 4. Encephalitis a. Occurs in immunocompromised patients Lab Diagnosis: 1. Tzank smear a. Multinucleated giant cells are seen Prevention: 1. Shingles vaccine a. Live attenuated vaccine b. Recommended for adults >60 years of age c. Contraindicated in pregnancy d. Can be given to HIV patients if CD4+ >200 Treatment: 1. Famcyclovir 2. Valacyclovir