Synonym(s)
HHV3; HHV-3; VZV
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Varicella zoster virus is a DNA virus from the group of human herpes viruses that can cause disease in humans and other vertebrates. S.u. Herpes viruses, human.
General definitionThis section has been translated automatically.
VZV is very easily transmitted by droplet infection and then causes chickenpox as the initial manifestation, rarely zoster meningitis or zoster encephalitis. After the disease has healed, it persists in sensitive nerve cells for life. In the case of immunodeficiency or in old age, the virus can reactivate and lead to the secondary disease of shingles (zoster) (see zoster below).
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PathogenThis section has been translated automatically.
VZV is membrane-enveloped, contains double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and is large as an icosahedron with 162 capsomers 150-200 nm in diameter. The virus belongs to the genus Varicellovirus, the subfamily of the Alpha-Herpes-Viridae and the family of Herpesviridae. It is closely related to the herpes simplex viruses, since it shares a large part of its genome with them. The only natural reservoir is humans.
Occurrence/EpidemiologyThis section has been translated automatically.
Prevalence: 400/100.000 inhabitants/year.
ManifestationThis section has been translated automatically.
People between the ages of 50 and 70 are most frequently affected. No sex preference.
Clinical pictureThis section has been translated automatically.
Diseases:
- Varicella (chickenpox), peak of disease between the ages of 2 and 10.
- Reye 's syndrome: rare acute syndrome, usually occurring in children and adolescents, characterized by encephalopathy with cerebral edema and fine droplet fatty degeneration of the liver, associated with varicella in 15-40% of cases. Observed especially when taking acetylsalicylic acid.
- Zoster as endogenous recurrence: disease peaks in older age. Overall, about 15% of all people develop the disease during their lifetime.
- Varicella syndrome, congenital: Fetal varicella syndrome occurs in 0.7-2% of fetuses whose mothers have undergone primary infection in the first trimester of pregnancy.
ProphylaxisThis section has been translated automatically.
Vaccination with Varicella zoster vaccine (Varivax®).
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Incoming links (7)
Classification of viruses; Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis familial; Herpesviridae; Infected cell protein 47; Neonatal varicella; Varicella; Varicella syndrome, congenital;Outgoing links (6)
Herpes simplex virus; Herpesviridae; Reye's syndrome; Varicella; Varicella syndrome, congenital; Zoster;Disclaimer
Please ask your physician for a reliable diagnosis. This website is only meant as a reference.
Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer