Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV): Overview and Treatment

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a disease-causing virus with a structure consisting of:

• Envelope: Made up of lipids.

• Nucleocapsid core: Has an icosahedral shape.

• DNA: Is a double-stranded molecule.

VZV is responsible for two diseases:

• Chickenpox: Commonly seen in children, it is the result of a primary VZV infection.

• Shingles: A reactivation of a latent VZV infection from a prior infection, commonly occurring in adults.

Chickenpox:

• Humans are the only reservoir of the virus.

• Transmission mechanism: The virus enters through the upper respiratory tract, develops locally, and causes viremia, which then spreads to organs, skin, and nerves.

Shingles:

• Symptoms: Skin lesions appear as clusters of fluid-filled blisters, distributed along the region of affected nerves.

Diagnosis:

• Serological diagnosis is the main method for identifying VZV infection in the nervous system.

Prevention:

• Vaccination: Administration of a live-attenuated vaccine for healthy individuals and high-risk individuals.

• Use of immune globulin: For immunocompromised children under 15 years of age who have not had chickenpox and have been in close contact with a patient.

Treatment:

• Preventing bacterial superinfection: Maintaining cleanliness and using antibiotics.

• Antiviral treatment: Acyclovir, Vidarabin.

• Use of interferon: Derived from human leukocytes.