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BMC Infectious Diseases Feb 2024Kaposi Varicelliform Eruptions (KVE), also known as eczema herpeticum, is a rare and potentially life-threatening dermatological condition primarily attributed to herpes...
BACKGROUND
Kaposi Varicelliform Eruptions (KVE), also known as eczema herpeticum, is a rare and potentially life-threatening dermatological condition primarily attributed to herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, with less frequent involvement of Coxsackie A16, vaccinia, Varicella Zoster, and smallpox viruses. Typically associated with pre-existing skin diseases, especially atopic dermatitis, KVE predominantly affects children but can manifest in healthy adults. Characterized by painful clusters of vesicles and sores on the skin and mucous membranes, it often masquerades as other dermatological disorders. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used for pain relief and inflammation, though their potential role as KVE triggers remains uncertain.
CASE REPORT
Here, we present a case of an 18-year-old female with KVE attributed to Varicella Zoster virus (VZV) and successfully treated with oral acyclovir within a week, underscoring the significance of early recognition and intervention. KVE can manifest with systemic symptoms like fever, fatigue, and lymphadenopathy and may involve multiple organ systems, necessitating possible antibiotic use for complications.
CONCLUSION
This case underscores the importance of prompt KVE identification and consideration of antiviral therapy to enhance patient outcomes. Further research is warranted to elucidate predisposing factors for this rare condition.
Topics: Adolescent; Female; Humans; Acyclovir; Dermatitis, Atopic; Herpesvirus 3, Human; Kaposi Varicelliform Eruption; Skin Diseases
PubMed: 38388418
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09115-4 -
RMD Open Feb 2024This study aimed to determine the immunogenicity and the influence on disease activity of an adjuvanted recombinant varicella-zoster virus (VZV) subunit vaccine (RZV) in...
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to determine the immunogenicity and the influence on disease activity of an adjuvanted recombinant varicella-zoster virus (VZV) subunit vaccine (RZV) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
METHODS
This prospective longitudinal study enrolled 53 patients with RA (aged ≥50 years) treated with DMARDs (conventional synthetic (cs)DMARDs 20, biological (b)DMARDs 23 and targeted synthetic (ts)DMARDs 10) and 10 control individuals. The participants received two intramuscular RZV 2 months apart. VZV-specific CD4 T cell responses (cell-mediated immunity; CMI) and IgG antibody responses (humoral immunity; HI) were assessed at 0 and 3 months after the first RZV administration using flow cytometry and enzyme immunoassay, respectively. Disease activity (Disease Activity Score 28-C reactive protein and Clinical Disease Activity Index), flares and adverse events were monitored for 6 months after the first vaccination.
RESULTS
VZV-specific CMI and HI significantly increased in the three DMARDs-treated patients with RA after RZV administration compared with the corresponding prevaccination values (p<0.001-0.014), and the magnitudes and fold-increases of those responses were not significantly different among the three DMARDs-treated patients with RA. Furthermore, the vaccine response rates of CMI and HI were not significantly different between csDMARDs-treated patients and b-DMARDs or ts-DMARDs-treated patients. Meanwhile, no significant increases in disease activity indices or adverse events were observed in these patients during the 6-month follow-up period after the first vaccination. RZV-induced RA flares occurred in two patients (3.8%) but were mild and controllable.
CONCLUSION
RZV is robustly immunogenic and has a clinically acceptable safety profile in elderly patients with RA receiving DMARDs.
Topics: Aged; Humans; Herpes Zoster Vaccine; Prospective Studies; Longitudinal Studies; Herpes Zoster; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Antirheumatic Agents; Herpesvirus 3, Human; Vaccines, Synthetic
PubMed: 38388170
DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003902 -
Experimental and Clinical... Jan 2024Solid-organ transplant recipients are at an increased risk of severe infections due to their immunosuppressed state. Despite the recommendation of routine screening and... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Solid-organ transplant recipients are at an increased risk of severe infections due to their immunosuppressed state. Despite the recommendation of routine screening and vaccination before transplant to mitigate this danger, vaccination rates in these patients are still below desirable levels. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of positive antibody rates for measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella among children who are candidates for renal transplant.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This retrospective study was conducted at a single center and included 144 pediatric kidney transplant patients for the past 7 years. We reviewed the medical records of all participants to evaluate their serologic status for measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella viruses before kidney transplant.
RESULTS
In this study, 144 pediatric kidney transplant candidates (mean age 11.5 years, 56.9% male) were enrolled, and the most frequent causes of the chronic renal disease were congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract and glomerular diseases (32.6%). Seropositivity rates for measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella were 59.0%, 31.9%, 46.5%, and 43.6%, respectively, and all patients who tested negative for antibodies were vaccinated before transplant. Younger age at transplant (OR = 0.909, 95% CI = 0.840-0.923; P = .017) and congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (OR = 3.46, 95% CI = 1.1548-7.735; P = .002) were significantly associated with increased measles seropositivity, although no significant associations were observed for the other viruses.
CONCLUSIONS
We observed lower seropositivity rates for measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella in pediatric kidney transplant patients versus healthy children and other previous studies. It is essential to address these suboptimal rates to protect the health of these vulnerable patients. Future research should focus on targeted interventions to improve vaccination rates and outcomes in this population.
Topics: Child; Female; Humans; Male; Antibodies, Viral; Chickenpox; Herpesvirus 3, Human; Kidney Transplantation; Measles; Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine; Mumps; Retrospective Studies; Rubella; Vaccines, Attenuated; Viral Vaccines
PubMed: 38385412
DOI: 10.6002/ect.MESOT2023.P79 -
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 2024Equine herpes virus type 1 (EHV-1) infection in horses is associated with upper respiratory disease, neurological disease, abortions, and neonatal death. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Equine herpes virus type 1 (EHV-1) infection in horses is associated with upper respiratory disease, neurological disease, abortions, and neonatal death.
REVIEW QUESTION
Does pharmacological therapy decrease either the incidence or severity of disease or infection caused by EHV-1 in domesticated horses?
METHODS
A systematic review was preformed searching AGRICOLA, CAB Abstracts, Cochrane, PubMed, Web of Science, and WHO Global Health Index Medicus Regional Databases to identify articles published before February 15, 2021. Selection criteria were original research reports published in peer reviewed journals, and studies investigating in vivo use of therapeutic agents for prevention or treatment of EHV-1 in horses. Outcomes assessed included measures related to clinical outcomes that reflect symptomatic EHV-1 infection or virus infection. We evaluated risk of bias and performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions.
RESULTS
A total of 7009 unique studies were identified, of which 9 met the inclusion criteria. Two studies evaluated valacyclovir or small interfering RNAs, and single studies evaluated the use of a Parapoxvirus ovis-based immunomodulator, human alpha interferon, an herbal supplement, a cytosine analog, and heparin. The level of evidence ranged between randomized controlled studies and observational trials. The risk of bias was moderate to high and sample sizes were small. Most studies reported either no benefit or minimal efficacy of the intervention tested.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE
Our review indicates minimal or limited benefit either as a prophylactic or post-exposure treatment for any of the studied interventions in the mitigation of EHV-1-associated disease outcome.
Topics: Animals; Horses; Herpesvirus 1, Equid; Horse Diseases; Herpesviridae Infections; Antiviral Agents; Valacyclovir
PubMed: 38380685
DOI: 10.1111/jvim.17016 -
Scientific Reports Feb 2024FilmArray® Meningitis/Encephalitis panel (FAME-p) is used to diagnose central nervous system (CNS) infections. In this study, we investigated performance of FAME-p... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
A retrospective observational study of 1000 consecutive patients tested with the FilmArray® Meningitis/Encephalitis panel: clinical diagnosis at discharge and microbiological findings.
FilmArray® Meningitis/Encephalitis panel (FAME-p) is used to diagnose central nervous system (CNS) infections. In this study, we investigated performance of FAME-p compared to comparator assays (CA), and for the first time, clinical diagnosis at discharge (CDD). 1000 consecutive patients with a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample analyzed with FAME-p were identified. As CA, culture, polymerase chain reaction and cryptococcal antigen test were used. Medical records of patients were obtained. A CDD of CNS infection was made in 139 of 1000 CSF samples. FAME-p was positive in 66 samples with 44 viral and 22 bacterial agents. Thirteen FAME-p findings were not confirmed by CA, with four discrepant results remaining after comparison with the CDD. Positive percentage agreement (PPA) calculated against CA was 100%. Negative percentage agreement (NPA) calculated against CA was 94.4-99.8% for Haemophilus influenzae, Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, S. pneumoniae and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). NPA calculated against CDD was higher (compared to CA) for L. monocytogenes, S. agalactiae and VZV (100%), and lower for Escherichia coli, enterovirus and herpes simplex virus 2 (50-83.3%). NPA of FAME-p for human herpes virus 6 was difficult to interpret. Eighty-four cases received diagnosis of CNS-infection despite negative FAME-p. The four most common non-infectious etiologies were primary headache disorders, cranial nerve palsies, neuroinflammatory disorders and seizure. Although FAME-p shows good performance in diagnosis of CNS infections, result of FAME-p should be interpreted carefully. Considering infectious diseases not covered by FAME-p as well as non-infectious differential diagnoses is important in this context.
Topics: Humans; Patient Discharge; Herpesvirus 3, Human; Retrospective Studies; Central Nervous System Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Meningitis; Encephalitis
PubMed: 38369552
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54621-9 -
ARP Rheumatology 2024
Topics: Humans; Herpesvirus 3, Human; Giant Cell Arteritis; Herpes Zoster; Temporal Arteries
PubMed: 38368558
DOI: 10.63032/RFQW9758 -
Vaccine Mar 2024In 2013, shingles vaccination was introduced in Wales as a routine immunisation programme for older adults. Invitation for this vaccination has historically been...
Use of invitations and reminders are associated with higher levels of Herpes zoster (shingles) vaccination uptake. A cross-sectional survey of general practices in Wales, and ecological analysis of uptake data, 2022.
In 2013, shingles vaccination was introduced in Wales as a routine immunisation programme for older adults. Invitation for this vaccination has historically been recommended but not mandated by vaccination policy. We surveyed general practices to investigate if invitations and reminders are associated with higher uptake of shingles vaccine. Using data from general practices, we calculated practice-level shingles vaccine uptake between 01/07/2021 and 31/06/2022 for registered patients aged 70-84 years. We distributed an online survey via email to all general practices in Wales on their use of vaccination invitations and reminders, method of invitations, and characteristics of their vaccination delivery. We used linear regression to calculate coefficients and 95 %CI to measure associations between invitations and vaccine uptake, adjusting for key demographics, with a multi-level component to account for similarities between general practices within the same health board. Survey response rate was 37 % (143/384). Median vaccine uptake for responding general practices was 57 % (IQR 50-68 %) compared to 58 % (IQR 48-68 %) nationally. General practices inviting all eligible patients (n = 95) had a 9 % (95 %CI 6-13 %) higher vaccination uptake compared to those inviting none or some (n = 48, p < 0.001). Of practices sending invitations, those who reminded all patients (n = 42) had a 6 % (95 %CI 1-11 %, p = 0.02) higher uptake compared to those that reminded none (n = 30). Practice size was associated with higher uptake, with small practices (n = 11, p = 0.02) having coverage 9 % (95 %CI 2-16 %) higher compared to the reference population (medium-sized practices, n = 78). General practices inviting and reminding all eligible patients for shingles vaccination have a higher uptake compared to those inviting and reminding only some or none. From September 2023, shingles vaccination policy in Wales has been updated to explicitly mandate effective universal call and recall mechanisms in general practices.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Herpes Zoster Vaccine; Cross-Sectional Studies; Wales; Herpes Zoster; Herpesvirus 3, Human; Vaccination; Vaccines
PubMed: 38360478
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.02.034 -
Acta Dermato-venereologica Feb 2024Herpes zoster (HZ) results from reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus. Recent observations have suggested that HZ is associated with vaccination against...
Herpes zoster (HZ) results from reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus. Recent observations have suggested that HZ is associated with vaccination against COVID-19. To investigate the association between the vaccine and HZ severity, a single-centre, cross-sectional study of all patients diagnosed with HZ and 2 control diagnoses (cellulitis and bone fractures), between 2017 and 2021, was performed. Hospital visits and hospitalization rates were compared. All medical records of patients diagnosed with HZ in the first year after the COVID-19 vaccination campaign began were reviewed, in order to generate a retrospective cohort comparing vaccinated and unvaccinated patients with HZ. All participants had received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 (BNT162b2) vaccine. During the study period, 2,413 patients were diagnosed with HZ, and when normalized to control diagnoses the number of cases remained stable. The retrospective cohort included 365 patients. A multivariate analysis controlling for sex, age, autoimmune diseases, malignancies, and immunosuppressive therapy showed higher admission rates in vaccinated compared with unvaccinated individuals (odds ratio (OR) 2.75, 95% CI 1.27-5.96, p = 0.01). However, matching techniques and stratification by age, used to better control for confounders, invalidated these findings. No differences were observed in other variables indicative of disease severity (hospital stay length and complications). In conclusion, COVID-19 vaccination was not found to be associated with an increased risk of HZ-related admission and complications.
Topics: Humans; BNT162 Vaccine; Chickenpox; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Cross-Sectional Studies; Herpes Zoster; Herpesvirus 3, Human; Retrospective Studies; Vaccination
PubMed: 38348725
DOI: 10.2340/actadv.v104.18389 -
Vaccine Mar 2024Priorix-Tetra™ (MMRV GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals' vaccine) was developed based on the existing measles-mumps-rubella and varicella vaccines. In this study, we aimed to...
Priorix-Tetra™ (MMRV GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals' vaccine) was developed based on the existing measles-mumps-rubella and varicella vaccines. In this study, we aimed to estimate the effectiveness of the combined measles-mumps-rubella-varicella Priorix-Tetra™ vaccine against varicella in real-world conditions. We conducted a post-marketing retrospective case-control study in the Apulia region of Italy in children aged 1-9 years born between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2016. We assessed the effectiveness against varicella of all grades of severity (including hospitalisation) and against hospitalisation for varicella of a single and two doses of Priorix-Tetra™. Moreover, we also assessed effectiveness of monovalent varicella (monovalent-V) vaccine and any varicella vaccines. Vaccine effectiveness was calculated as (1-OR) x 100. We introduced demographic variables in the model to adjust Vaccine effectiveness (aVE) by potential confounders (sex and year of birth). We recorded 625 varicella cases and matched them with 1,875 controls. Among 625 cases, 198 had received a single MMRV dose, 10 two MMRV doses, 46 a single monovalent-V dose, none two monovalent-V doses; four a monovalent-V as first dose and MMRV as second dose, and one a MMRV as first dose and monovalent-V as second dose; 366 cases were not vaccinated. The aVE against varicella of all grades of severity was 77.0% and 93.0% after a single dose and after two doses of MMRV, respectively. The aVE against varicella of all grades was 72.0% after a single dose of monovalent-V vaccine. The aVE against varicella of all grades of severity was 76.0% after a single dose and 94.0% after two doses of any varicella vaccine. The aVE against varicella hospitalisation was 96% after a single dose of any varicella vaccine. Priorix-Tetra™ showed to be an effective vaccine and the two-dose schedule should be recommended to optimise immunisation programmes. A single dose was able to provide protection against varicella hospitalisation.
Topics: Child; Humans; Infant; Chickenpox; Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine; Mumps; Case-Control Studies; Retrospective Studies; Vaccines, Combined; Chickenpox Vaccine; Herpesvirus 3, Human; Measles; Vaccines, Attenuated; Italy; Rubella; Antibodies, Viral
PubMed: 38341290
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.02.002 -
Virology Journal Feb 2024Pneumonia is the most common complication of varicella infections. Although previous studies have tended to focus mainly on immunocompromised patients, varicella...
Pneumonia is the most common complication of varicella infections. Although previous studies have tended to focus mainly on immunocompromised patients, varicella pneumonia can also occur in healthy adults. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to assess the progression of varicella pneumonia in immunocompetent hosts. This retrospective study involved immunocompetent adult outpatients with varicella who attended the adult Fever Emergency facility of Peking University Third Hospital from April 1, 2020, to October 31, 2022. Varicella pneumonia was defined as a classic chickenpox-type rash in patients with infiltrates on chest computed tomography. The study included 186 patients, 57 of whom had a contact history of chickenpox exposure. Antiviral pneumonia therapy was administered to 175 patients by treating physicians. Computed tomography identified pneumonia in 132 patients, although no deaths from respiratory failure occurred. Seventy of the discharged patients were subsequently contacted, all of whom reported being well. Follow-up information, including computed tomography findings, was available for 37 patients with pneumonia, among whom 24 reported complete resolution whereas the remaining 13 developed persistent calcifications. Notably, we established that the true incidence of varicella pneumonia is higher than that previously reported, although the prognosis for immunocompetent hosts is generally good.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Chickenpox; Retrospective Studies; Prevalence; Pneumonia, Viral; Immunocompetence; Herpesvirus 3, Human
PubMed: 38336670
DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02303-3