Varicella Zoster Virus Flashcards
What is chickenpox?
Varicella zoster virus
Belong to the family of Alpha herpes viruses
When does chickenpox normally present?
Normally a mild illness of childhood
What percentage of UK-raised adults are immune to chickenpox?
> 90%
What is the genome of varicella zoster virus?
ds DNA genome
How many base pairs does the genome of the varicella zoster contain?
130 000 base pairs
What happens during primary infection of chickenpox?
Viral replication in skin causes lesions
This presents as chickenpox
Immune control regulates this
Retrograde spread in sensory neurons
Latency is established in the ganglion
Where is latency established?
In the ganglion
What happens during reactivation of the varicella zoster virus?
Reaction from latency induced by unknown factors
Anterograde spread
Viral replication in skin causes lesions to develop and presents as shingles
What does reaction of varicella zoster present as?
Shingles
To who are herpesviruses problematic?
In immunocompromised individuals
Examples of immunocompromised individuals
HIV
Transplantation
Zoster lesions are usually limited to a single dermatome
TRUE or FALSE
TRUE
Area innervated by sensory neuron that contains latent form of the virus
Which percentage of chicken pox patients develop Zoster?
25-35%
What factor increase the incidence and severity of Zoster?
Age
Immune senescence
Chickenpox is a special risk to pregnant women, foetus and neonates
TRUE or FALSE
TRUE
Risk of fatal varicella is five times higher in pregnant women
During which time of the pregancy is material infection most risky to the foetus/neonate?
First 20 weeks: Congenital varicella syndrome (1-2% pregnancies)
Second and third trimesters: Neonatal Zoster
A week before to a week after delivery: Severe/fatal neonatal disease
Is chickenpox contagious?
Yes, highly contagious
Not determined what the main mode of transmission for the virus is
What is the chance of getting chickenpox through household contact?
100%
What is the first step to do if a mother presents to a neonatal clinic with a child sick with chickenpox?
Urgent look back at clinic list for possible contacts
What characterises people who have had contact with the child?
Face-to-face contact
15 minutes in the same room
Two hours before/after the woman’s appointment