Latent varicella-zoster viral DNA in human trigeminal and thoracic ganglia

Article Abstract:

After infecting an individual, the herpesviruses establish a latent infection, remaining in the body in an inactive state, but capable of being reactivated. The way in which they become latent and are later reactivated is not understood. The human herpesviruses include herpes simplex, Epstein-Barr, and varicella-zoster. This last virus causes chickenpox in children, then remains in a latent state in the dorsal-root ganglia (nerve tissue), and may recur in adulthood as shingles. While the virus is in the latent phase, viral DNA (genetic material) can be identified in certain cells. This study was done to determine the presence and distribution of the varicella-zoster virus in latent form in the nervous tissue of individuals who had not recently had either chickenpox or shingles. The 23 subjects, aged 33 to 88 years, underwent postmortem examination of the trigeminal (facial) and thoracic (chest) ganglia. The ganglia are masses of nerve tissue containing the nerve-cell bodies, and are found throughout the body. Results of the analysis showed that 22 of the 23 subjects had antibodies against the varicella-zoster virus. Of these 22 subjects, who were previously infected with the virus, the trigeminal ganglia were examined in 15, and the thoracic ganglia were examined in 17 subjects. Varicella-zoster viral DNA was found in 87 percent of the trigeminal ganglia, and in 53 percent of the thoracic ganglia. The thoracic ganglia of the one subject who lacked antibodies against the virus contained no viral DNA. The results show that the varicella-zoster virus becomes latent in many of the body's ganglia, and the trigeminal ganglia is affected more often than the thoracic ganglia. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Infection, Development and progression, Virus diseases, Identification and classification, Ganglia

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Neurologic complications of the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus

Article Abstract:

Research has demonstrated that the varicella-zoster virus may cause many neurologic diseases that were not formerly attributed to the virus. Varicella-zoster virus is the virus that causes chickenpox. Once a person has chickenpox, the virus stays in the body for life, but in an inactive, or latent, state. It usually hides out in nerve cells. When it becomes active again, it causes shingles, postherpetic neuralgia, myelitis, encephalitis, arteritis, and meningitis. The development of the polymerase chain reaction has enabled researchers to detect the virus in cerebrospinal fluid.

Health aspects

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Toxic leukoencephalopathy

Article Abstract:

The causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of toxic leukoencephalopathy are reviewed. Toxic leukoencephalopathy is damage to the white matter in the brain caused by drugs, environmental toxins, and chemical solvents. It can cause problems with attention, forgetfulness, personality changes, dementia, coma, and death.

Causes of, Leukoencephalopathy

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