Search results for "Herpes zoster"
showing 10 items of 21 documents
Decline in hospitalization rates for herpes zoster in Italy (2003-2018): reduction in the burden of disease or changing of hospitalization criteria?
2022
Background: Herpes Zoster (HZ) is a very demanding disease caused by the reactivation of latent Varicella Zoster Virus. The main aim of this study was to estimate the burden of the HZ hospitalizations in Italy from 2003 to 2018 evaluating temporal trends. Methods: Retrospective population-based study analyzing Hospital Discharge Records. Hospitalization records reporting the ICD-9 CM 053.X code in the principal diagnosis or in any of the five secondary diagnoses were considered as cases. Trends of hospitalization rates have been evaluated by Joinpoint analyses. Results: Overall, 99,036 patients were hospitalized with HZ in the 16-year period of the study, and 83,720 (84.5%) of these patient…
Updated insights into the mechanism of action and clinical profile of the immunoadjuvant QS-21: A review
2019
Background Vaccine adjuvants are compounds that significantly enhance/prolong the immune response to a co-administered antigen. The limitations of the use of aluminium salts that are unable to elicite cell responses against intracellular pathogens such as those causing malaria, tuberculosis, or AIDS, have driven the development of new alternative adjuvants such as QS-21, a triterpene saponin purified from Quillaja saponaria. Purpose The aim of this review is to attempt to clarify the mechanism of action of QS-21 through either receptors or signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo with special emphasis on the co-administration with other immunostimulants in new adjuvant formulations, called a…
Recovery of Varicella-Zoster Virus–Specific T Cell Immunity after T Cell–Depleted Allogeneic Transplantation Requires Symptomatic Virus Reactivation
2008
Abstract Reactivated varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection causes herpes zoster and commonly occurs after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Because VZV-specific T cell immunity is essential to prevent virus reactivation, we developed an interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT) assay for the sensitive detection of VZV-reactive T cells at the single-cell level ex vivo. We used this assay to monitor the frequency of VZV-reactive T cells in 17 seropositive patients during the first year after T cell–depleted allo-HSCT. The patients did not receive anti-herpesvirus prophylaxis after stem cell engraftment. Independent of the magnitude of transferred d…
Can SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine increase the risk of reactivation of Varicella zoster? A systematic review
2021
Abstract Introduction Although the COVID‐19 vaccination is deemed safe, exact incidence and nature if adverse effects, particularly dermatological ones, are still unknown. Objective To describe the demographic, clinical, morphological characteristics, outcomes, and timing of development of herpes zoster to the various COVID‐19 vaccines. And to identify on whether COVID‐19 vaccine has temporal relationship between development of herpes zoster (HZ). Methods We have performed a systemic review of articles from PubMed and Embase using MeSH and keywords like “Shingles,” “Herpes zoster,” “Varicella zoster,” “COVID‐19,” “Vaccine,” “SARS‐CoV‐2.” No filters including country of publication, language…
Opportunistic infections in immunosuppressed patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: analysis by the Pharmachild Safety Adjudication Committee
2020
Background: To derive a list of opportunistic infections (OI) through the analysis of the juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients in the Pharmachild registry by an independent Safety Adjudication Committee (SAC). Methods: The SAC (3 pediatric rheumatologists and 2 pediatric infectious disease specialists) elaborated and approved by consensus a provisional list of OI for use in JIA. Through a 5 step-procedure, all the severe and serious infections, classified as per MedDRA dictionary and retrieved in the Pharmachild registry, were evaluated by the SAC by answering six questions and adjudicated with the agreement of 3/5 specialists. A final evidence-based list of OI resulted by matching …
Comparison of intramuscular and subcutaneous administration of a herpes zoster live-attenuated vaccine in adults aged ≥50 years: a randomised non-inf…
2015
AbstractZostavax® is a live, attenuated varicella zoster virus (VZV) vaccine developed specifically for the prevention of HZ and PHN in individuals aged ≥50 years. During the clinical development of Zostavax, which was mainly in the US, the vaccine was administrated by the subcutaneous (SC) route. In Europe, many healthcare professionals prefer administering vaccines by the intramuscular (IM) route. This was an open-label, randomised trial conducted in 354 subjects aged ≥50 years. The primary objectives were to demonstrate that IM administration is both non-inferior to SC administration in terms of 4-week post-vaccination geometric mean titres (GMTs), and elicits an acceptable geometric mea…
Pharmacology and safety of tofacitinib in ulcerative colitis.
2020
The use of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors is a new approach in the therapy of inflammatory diseases with immune base. Tofacitinib is one of these inhibitors targeting JAK1 and JAK3, and its efficacy has been demonstrated in the treatment of moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC). It is a small synthetic molecule administered orally, with a fast bioavailability and elimination rate, predictable pharmacokinetics and lack of immunogenicity, which are convenient characteristics for both efficacy and safety. This article reviews the pharmacological characteristics of tofacitinib and its safety profile.
Multidimensional Frailty and Vaccinations in Older People: A Cross-Sectional Study
2022
It is known that influenza, herpes zoster, pneumococcal and pertussis infections may increase morbidity and mortality in older people. Vaccinations against these pathogens are effective in older adults. Frailty seems to be an important determinant of vaccination rates, yet data supporting this association are still missing. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of four recommended vaccinations (influenza, herpes zoster, pneumococcal and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis) and the association with multidimensional frailty assessed using a self-reported comprehensive geriatric assessment tool, i.e., the multidimensional prognostic index (SELFY-MPI). Older participants visiting the outpa…
Localizzazione S1 di Herpes Zooster: un raro caso di ritenzione urinaria.
2011
Donna di 46 anni con ritenzione urinaria acuta e stipsi. Presentava piccola vescicola sul dorso del piede sinistro quale unica manifestazione di localizzazione di virus Herpes Zooster a livello sacrale S1. Viene riportato l'esame urodinamico e le risultanze dei test sierologici seriati specifici per l'infezione da virus Varicella Zooster. La paziente è guarita a seguito di terapia specifica con Acyclovir. Il caso riportato dimostra che anche il segmento sacrale S1 contribuisce al controllo della dinamica minzionale
Reducing the burden of Herpes Zoster in Italy.
2015
Herpes Zoster (HZ) is a viral disease with painful neuro-dermatologic manifestations. Incidence increases with age. In Italy, the estimated incidence is 6.3 cases/1000 person/year; hospital admissions are less than 2%, 69% in patients aged over 65 years. The most frequent complication of HZ is Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN) characterized by metameric pain, allodynia, and hyperalgesia. In Italy 20.6% and 9.2% of HZ patients experience PHN after 3 and 6 months, respectively. Available antiviral and analgesic treatments are relatively unsatisfactory in reducing pain and length of the disease. Prevention has recently become possible with the live attenuated vaccine Oka/Merck. Clinical studies sh…