Forbes HJ, Williamson E, Benjamin L, Breuer J, Brown MM, Langan SM, Minassian C, Smeeth L, Thomas SL, Warren-Gash C. Association of herpesviruses and stroke: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
PLoS One 2018;
13:e0206163. [PMID:
30462656 PMCID:
PMC6248930 DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0206163]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Herpesviruses induce a range of inflammatory effects potentially contributing to an increased risk of stroke.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate whether patients with infection, or reactivation of, human herpesviruses are at increased stroke risk, compared to those without human herpesviruses.
DATA SOURCES
Six medical databases and grey literature sources from inception to January 2017.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Studies where the exposure was any human herpesvirus and the outcome was stroke. We included randomised controlled trials, cohort, case-control, case-crossover and self-controlled case series designs.
METHODS
Meta-analyses when sufficiently homogeneous studies were available. Quality of evidence across studies was assessed.
RESULTS
We identified 5012 publications; 41 met the eligibility criteria. Across cohort and self-controlled case series studies, there was moderate quality evidence that varicella infection in children was associated with a short-term increased stroke risk. Zoster was associated with a 1.5-fold increased stroke risk four weeks following onset (summary estimate: 1.55, 95%CI 1.46-1.65), which resolved after one year. Subgroup analyses suggested post-zoster stroke risk was greater among ophthalmic zoster patients, younger individuals and those not prescribed antivirals. Recent infection/reactivation of cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex viruses, but not past infection, was associated with increased stroke risk; however the evidence across studies was mainly derived from small, very low quality case-control studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Our review shows an increased stroke risk following zoster and suggests that recent infection or reactivation of other herpesviruses increases stroke risk, although better evidence is needed. Herpesviruses are common and potentially preventable; these findings may have implications for reducing stroke burden.
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