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Vishnevetsky A, Anand P. Approach to Neurologic Complications in the Immunocompromised Patient. Semin Neurol 2021; 41:554-571. [PMID: 34619781 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1733795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Neurologic complications are common in immunocompromised patients, including those with advanced human immunodeficiency virus, transplant recipients, and patients on immunomodulatory medications. In addition to the standard differential diagnosis, specific pathogens and other conditions unique to the immunocompromised state should be considered in the evaluation of neurologic complaints in this patient population. A thorough understanding of these considerations is critical to the inpatient neurologist in contemporary practice, as increasing numbers of patients are exposed to immunomodulatory therapies. In this review, we provide a chief complaint-based approach to the clinical presentations and diagnosis of both infectious and noninfectious complications particular to immunocompromised patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Vishnevetsky
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Pria Anand
- Department of Neurology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
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Gershon AA, Breuer J, Cohen JI, Cohrs RJ, Gershon MD, Gilden D, Grose C, Hambleton S, Kennedy PGE, Oxman MN, Seward JF, Yamanishi K. Varicella zoster virus infection. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2015; 1:15016. [PMID: 27188665 PMCID: PMC5381807 DOI: 10.1038/nrdp.2015.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 374] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes varicella (chickenpox), which can be severe in immunocompromised individuals, infants and adults. Primary infection is followed by latency in ganglionic neurons. During this period, no virus particles are produced and no obvious neuronal damage occurs. Reactivation of the virus leads to virus replication, which causes zoster (shingles) in tissues innervated by the involved neurons, inflammation and cell death - a process that can lead to persistent radicular pain (postherpetic neuralgia). The pathogenesis of postherpetic neuralgia is unknown and it is difficult to treat. Furthermore, other zoster complications can develop, including myelitis, cranial nerve palsies, meningitis, stroke (vasculopathy), retinitis, and gastroenterological infections such as ulcers, pancreatitis and hepatitis. VZV is the only human herpesvirus for which highly effective vaccines are available. After varicella or vaccination, both wild-type and vaccine-type VZV establish latency, and long-term immunity to varicella develops. However, immunity does not protect against reactivation. Thus, two vaccines are used: one to prevent varicella and one to prevent zoster. In this Primer we discuss the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of VZV infections, with an emphasis on the molecular events that regulate these diseases. For an illustrated summary of this Primer, visit: http://go.nature.com/14xVI1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne A Gershon
- Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 630 West 168th Street, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Judith Breuer
- Department of Infection and Immunity, University College London, UK
| | - Jeffrey I Cohen
- Medical Virology Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Randall J Cohrs
- Departments of Neurology and Microbiology and Immunology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Michael D Gershon
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
| | - Don Gilden
- Departments of Neurology and Microbiology and Immunology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Charles Grose
- Division of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Children's Hospital, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Sophie Hambleton
- Primary Immunodeficiency Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Peter G E Kennedy
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow University, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Michael N Oxman
- Infectious Diseases Section, Medicine Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Jane F Seward
- Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Koichi Yamanishi
- Research Foundation for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation results in zoster, which may be complicated by postherpetic neuralgia, myelitis, meningoencephalitis, and VZV vasculopathy. This review highlights the clinical features, laboratory abnormalities, imaging changes, and optimal treatment of each of those conditions. Because all of these neurological disorders produced by VZV reactivation can occur in the absence of rash, the virological tests proving that VZV caused disease are discussed. RECENT FINDINGS After primary infection, VZV becomes latent in ganglionic neurons along the entire neuraxis. With a decline in VZV-specific cell-mediated immunity, VZV reactivates from ganglia and travels anterograde to the skin to cause zoster, which is often complicated by postherpetic neuralgia. VZV can also travel retrograde to produce meningoencephalitis, myelitis, and stroke. When these complications occur without rash, VZV-induced disease can be diagnosed by detection of VZV DNA or anti-VZV antibody in cerebrospinal fluid and treated with intravenous acyclovir. SUMMARY Awareness of the expanding spectrum of neurological complications caused by VZV reactivation with and without rash will improve diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A. Nagel
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Don Gilden
- Department of Neurology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, Tel: 303-724-7326 Fax: 303-724-4329
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Mantero V, Rigamonti A, Valentini S, Fiumani A, Piamarta F, Bonfanti P, Salmaggi A. Isolated acute dysphagia due to varicella-zoster virus. J Clin Virol 2014; 59:268-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2014.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2013] [Revised: 01/11/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- Don Gilden
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Maria A Nagel
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Randall J Cohrs
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
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Gilden D, Nagel MA, Cohrs RJ, Mahalingam R. The variegate neurological manifestations of varicella zoster virus infection. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2013; 13:374. [PMID: 23884722 PMCID: PMC4051361 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-013-0374-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is an exclusively human neurotropic alphaherpesvirus. Primary infection causes varicella (chickenpox), after which the virus becomes latent in ganglionic neurons along the entire neuraxis. With advancing age or immunosuppression, cell-mediated immunity to VZV declines, and the virus reactivates to cause zoster (shingles), dermatomal distribution, pain, and rash. Zoster is often followed by chronic pain (postherpetic neuralgia), cranial nerve palsies, zoster paresis, vasculopathy, meningoencephalitis, and multiple ocular disorders. This review covers clinical, laboratory, and pathological features of neurological complications of VZV reactivation, including diagnostic testing to verify active VZV infection in the nervous system. Additional perspectives are provided by discussions of VZV latency, animal models to study varicella pathogenesis and immunity, and of the value of vaccination of elderly individuals to boost cell-mediated immunity to VZV and prevent VZV reactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Don Gilden
- Department of Neurology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 12700 E. 19th Avenue, Box B182, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is an exclusively human neurotropic alphaherpesvirus. Primary infection causes varicella (chickenpox), after which virus becomes latent in ganglionic neurons along the entire neuraxis. With advancing age or immunosuppression, cell-mediated immunity to VZV declines and virus reactivates to cause zoster (shingles), which can occur anywhere on the body. Skin lesions resolve within 1-2 weeks, while complete cessation of pain usually takes 4-6 weeks. Zoster can be followed by chronic pain (postherpetic neuralgia), cranial nerve palsies, zoster paresis, meningoencephalitis, cerebellitis, myelopathy, multiple ocular disorders and vasculopathy that can mimic giant cell arteritis. All of the neurological and ocular disorders listed above may also develop without rash. Diagnosis of VZV-induced neurological disease may require examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), serum and/ or ocular fluids. In the absence of rash in a patient with neurological disease potentially due to VZV, CSF should be examined for VZV DNA by PCR and for anti-VZV IgG and IgM. Detection of VZV IgG antibody in CSF is superior to detection of VZV DNA in CSF to diagnose vasculopathy, recurrent myelopathy, and brainstem encephalitis. Oral antiviral drugs speed healing of rash and shorten acute pain. Immunocompromised patients require intravenous acyclovir. First-line treatments for post-herpetic neuralgia include tricyclic antidepressants, gabapentin, pregabalin, and topical lidocaine patches. VZV vasculopathy, meningoencephalitis, and myelitis are all treated with intravenous acyclovir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A. Nagel
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Don Gilden
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
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Mantero V, De Toni Franceschini L, Lillia N, Guccione A, Santilli I, Agostoni E. Varicella-zoster meningoencephaloradiculoneuropathy in an immunocompetent young woman. J Clin Virol 2013; 57:361-2. [PMID: 23778237 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2013.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2013] [Revised: 04/01/2013] [Accepted: 04/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The clinical manifestations of varicella-zoster virus infections can be divided into primary infection with chickenpox and reactivated infection with dermatomal shingles, disseminated herpes zoster, zoster sine herpete and varicella-zoster virus encephalitis, meningitis and vasculopathy. We present a case of zoster sine herpete leading to meningitis with cranial and peripheral nerve palsies. A 17-year-old woman was admitted to hospital with intermittent fever, drowsiness, slowness and subsequent frontal headache and horizontal diplopia. Cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis and PCR amplified varicella-zoster virus DNA. Laboratory and clinical findings were suggestive of meningoencephaloradiculoneuropathy, stemming from varicella-zoster virus and affecting cranial and peripheral nerves. Only 5% of patients with zoster develop cranial and peripheral nerve palsies. Diagnosis is imperative in order to initiate prompt antiviral therapy so as to minimize morbidity and the risk of death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio Mantero
- Department of Neurosciences, Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy.
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Gilden D, Mahalingam R, Nagel MA, Pugazhenthi S, Cohrs RJ. Review: The neurobiology of varicella zoster virus infection. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2011; 37:441-63. [PMID: 21342215 PMCID: PMC3176736 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2990.2011.01167.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a neurotropic herpesvirus that infects nearly all humans. Primary infection usually causes chickenpox (varicella), after which virus becomes latent in cranial nerve ganglia, dorsal root ganglia and autonomic ganglia along the entire neuraxis. Although VZV cannot be isolated from human ganglia, nucleic acid hybridization and, later, polymerase chain reaction proved that VZV is latent in ganglia. Declining VZV-specific host immunity decades after primary infection allows virus to reactivate spontaneously, resulting in shingles (zoster) characterized by pain and rash restricted to one to three dermatomes. Multiple other serious neurological and ocular disorders also result from VZV reactivation. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge of the clinical and pathological complications of neurological and ocular disease produced by VZV reactivation, molecular aspects of VZV latency, VZV virology and VZV-specific immunity, the role of apoptosis in VZV-induced cell death and the development of an animal model provided by simian varicella virus infection of monkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Gilden
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, USA.
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Abstract
Declining cell-mediated immunity to varicella zoster virus (VZV) in elderly individuals results in virus reactivation manifest by zoster (shingles) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). To prevent virus reactivation, a new VZV vaccine (Zostavax; Merck) that boosts cell-mediated immunity to VZV was developed. The 3-year Shingles Prevention Study showed that Zostavax significantly reduced burden of disease because of zoster and PHN. Despite its cost-effectiveness for adults aged 65-75 years, as determined in the United States, Canada and UK, <2% of immunocompetent adults over age 60 years in the United States were immunized in 2007. This was because of a combination of lack of patient awareness of the vaccine, physicians' uncertainty about the duration of protection and different cost-sharing plans for immunization. Nevertheless, zoster vaccine is safe, effective and highly recommended for immunization of immunocompetent individuals over age 60 years with no history of recent zoster.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Gilden
- Department of Neurology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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