Varicella zoster virus immunity: A primer

Summary Varicella zoster (VZV) is among the most prevalent viruses affecting the human race. The majority of us experience primary infection as varicella in childhood and remain latently infected, with occasional reactivation as the infectious entity, shingles. Rarely, VZV causes severe and dissemin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of infection 2015-06, Vol.71, p.S47-S53
Main Authors: Duncan, Christopher J.A, Hambleton, Sophie
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antibody
CD4+ T cell
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology
Chickenpox
Herpesviridae Infections - immunology
Herpesvirus 3, Human - immunology
Humans
Immunodeficiency
Infectious Disease
Interferon
Interferons - immunology
NK cell
Shingles
VZV
Zoster
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Summary:Summary Varicella zoster (VZV) is among the most prevalent viruses affecting the human race. The majority of us experience primary infection as varicella in childhood and remain latently infected, with occasional reactivation as the infectious entity, shingles. Rarely, VZV causes severe and disseminated disease, which can be fatal despite the availability of highly active antiviral agents. VZV is the only herpesvirus against which effective vaccines have been developed and widely implemented in several countries, further complicating its epidemiology. The immunological correlates of protection against varicella remain incompletely understood. Here we provide a brief overview of evidence from animal models and observational studies that define immunologic risk factors for severe varicella, and thus the most important elements of VZV immunity. Although circulating VZV-specific antibody can prevent primary infection, innate and cellular responses appear much more important in limiting its severity and duration. Improved understanding of these protective factors may assist us in developing more effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of severe varicella.
ISSN:0163-4453
1532-2742
DOI:10.1016/j.jinf.2015.04.015