Elevated serum substance P during simian varicella virus infection in rhesus macaques: implications for chronic inflammation and adverse cerebrovascular events

AbstractVaricella and zoster, produced by varicella-zoster virus (VZV), are associated with an increased risk of stroke that may be due to persistent inflammation and hypercoagulability. Because substance P is associated with inflammation, hypercoagulability, and atherosclerotic plaque rupture that may contribute to increased stroke risk after VZV infection, we measured serum substance P in simian varicella virus –infected rhesus macaques. We found significantly increased and persistent serum substance P concentrations during varicella and zoster compared with pre-inoculation, supporting the hypothesis that VZV-induced increases in serum substance P may contribute to increased stroke risk associated with V ZV infection.

Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - September 21, 2020 Category: Neurology Source Type: research