Herpes Zoster, a Rash of Cerebrovascular Events

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is an exclusively human, neurotropic, DNA alphaherpesvirus that produces varicella (chicken pox) and then becomes latent in neurons residing in the cranial nerve, dorsal root, and autonomic ganglia. As VZV-specific cell-mediated immunity wanes, virus can reactivate from 1 or more ganglia and travel peripherally to produce herpes zoster (HZ; shingles) in the corresponding dermatome(s). Risk factors for reactivation include aging, cancer, human immunodeficiency virus, and treatment with immunosuppressive therapy.
Source: Mayo Clinic Proceedings - Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research