Entries by Jeff Reeves

Rapid, sensitive, and specific lateral-flow immunochromatographic point-of-care device for detection of varicella-zoster virus immunoglobulin G antibodies in fingerstick blood

Nicholas Vafai a, Kevin Self b, Bret Sheffield b, Sally Hojvat c, Aubrey Kusi-Appiah a, Patrick Vaughan b, Elliot Cowan c, Abbas Vafai a a Viro Research, 2326 Wisteria Drive, Suite 220, Snellville, GA 30078, United States of America b DCN Diagnostics, 3193 Lionshead Avenue, Carlsbad, CA 92010, United States of America c Partners in […]

February 2, 2023 by

Seropositivity, Risks, and Morbidity from VZV in those with HIV

INTRODUCTION: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection disproportionally affects people with HIV (PWH), primarily presenting as herpes zoster. The clinical outcomes remain understudied, in terms of VZV seroprevalence in this population. In this report, the authors assessed the VZV seroprevalence, rates of VZV illness, and associated health care costs in a large cohort of PWH over 20 […]

January 19, 2023 by

Global Herpes Zoster Incidence

INTRODUCTION: Herpes zoster (HZ) is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) which leads to the development of a painful, vesicular rash and can cause complications such as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and vision loss. HZ is increasing globally, costing billions annually to the healthcare system and to society through loss of productivity. HZ […]

January 19, 2023 by

Post-licensure Vaccine Effectiveness against Herpes Zoster

INTRODUCTION: Prevention of herpes zoster is key to the health and quality of life for almost all senior citizens. A study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the herpes zoster vaccines (recombinant zoster vaccine-RZV & zoster vaccine live-ZVL) against the incidence of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in older adults. According to the authors […]

November 2, 2022 by

Trigeminal Herpes Zoster Transited to Ipsilateral Occipital Neuralgia

INTRODUCTION: Herpes zoster (HZ) results from the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in the dorsal root ganglia. VZV can then move along the sensory nerves to the skin, causing inflammatory lesions in the peripheral nerves. Occipital neuralgia reaches the fronto-orbital area through trigeminocervical inter-neuronal connections in the trigeminal spinal nuclei. The report here by […]

November 2, 2022 by

Factors associated with Herpes Zoster in England

INTRODUCTION: The reactivation of varicella zoster virus, usually after the age of 50, results in shingles (Herpes Zoster-HZ). The risk of HZ increases with age and immunosuppression. The number of risk factors for HZ is unknown, therefore the aim of this study was to explore potential risk factors for HZ using survey data from a […]

September 14, 2022 by

Neurological Complications of Herpesvirus Patients with SARS-CoV-2, Part II

Neurological Complications of Herpesvirus Patients with SARS-CoV-2, Part II   INTRODUCTION: Carneiro et al.1, estimated the prevalence of herpesvirus in patients with COVID-19 and determined if co-infection is associated with poorer outcomes and neurological symptoms. Studies have shown that patients with neurological manifestations from a SARS-CoV-2 infection should undergo detection tests for opportunistic neurotropic viruses, […]

August 22, 2022 by