Assessment of transcriptomal analysis of varicella-zoster-virus gene expression in patients with and without post-herpetic neuralgia.
Summary of "Assessment of transcriptomal analysis of varicella-zoster-virus gene expression in patients with and without post-herpetic neuralgia."
Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) is a human herpes virus that reactivates from a latent state in human trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia to cause herpes zoster (shingles) which is a painful vesicular dermatomal skin eruption. The major complication of herpes zoster is post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) which is a serious condition occurring especially in individuals over 50 years. PHN is extremely painful, may be permanent, and is frequently very refractory to all treatment. The ability to identify those patients with herpes zoster who are likely to develop PHN would be highly beneficial as it would allow pre-emptive anti-viral therapy. We have assessed the potential of using long oligonucleotide VZV microarrays to determine whether MeWo cells infected with VZV isolates obtained from 13 patients with zoster who had subsequently developed PHN showed significant transcriptomal differences from MeWo cells infected with viruses isolated from ten zoster patients who had not developed PHN. We found that viral gene expression from sample to sample within a group (PHN patients or non-PHN patients) varied as much, or more, than the viral gene expression between those groups. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction studies carried out on 11 open reading frames on four representative viral infected MeWo cell lines (two from each group) confirmed the transcriptomal heterogeneity between the two groups. Growth curve analyses of ten representative infected cell lines (five from each group) showed that PHN and non-PHN-associated viruses replicated equally efficiently. Taken together, these findings suggest that viral microarray-based transcriptomal measurements are unlikely to prove of clinical utility in predicting the incidence of PHN.
Affiliation
Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, G51 4TF, Scotland, UK.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Virus genes
ISSN: 1572-994X
Pages:
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20652732
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11262-010-0515-2
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Encephalitis, Varicella Zoster
Inflammation of brain tissue caused by infection with the varicella-zoster virus (HERPESVIRUS 3, HUMAN). This condition is associated with immunocompromised states, including the ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME. Pathologically, the virus tends to induce a vasculopathy and infect oligodendrocytes and ependymal cells, leading to CEREBRAL INFARCTION, multifocal regions of demyelination, and periventricular necrosis. Manifestations of varicella encephalitis usually occur 5-7 days after onset of HERPES ZOSTER and include HEADACHE; VOMITING; lethargy; focal neurologic deficits; FEVER; and COMA. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1996, Ch 26, pp29-32; Hum Pathol 1996 Sep;27(9):927-38)
Neuralgia, Postherpetic
Pain in nerves, frequently involving facial SKIN, resulting from the activation the latent varicella-zoster virus (HERPESVIRUS 3, HUMAN). The two forms of the condition preceding the pain are HERPES ZOSTER OTICUS; and HERPES ZOSTER OPHTHALMICUS. Following the healing of the rashes and blisters, the pain sometimes persists.
Herpes Zoster
An acute infectious, usually self-limited, disease believed to represent activation of latent varicella-zoster virus (HERPESVIRUS 3, HUMAN) in those who have been rendered partially immune after a previous attack of CHICKENPOX. It involves the SENSORY GANGLIA and their areas of innervation and is characterized by severe neuralgic pain along the distribution of the affected nerve and crops of clustered vesicles over the area. (From Dorland, 27th ed)
Vidarabine
A nucleoside antibiotic isolated from Streptomyces antibioticus. It has some antineoplastic properties and has broad spectrum activity against DNA viruses in cell cultures and significant antiviral activity against infections caused by a variety of viruses such as the herpes viruses, the VACCINIA VIRUS and varicella zoster virus.
Kaposi Varicelliform Eruption
A disseminated vesicular-pustular eruption caused by the herpes simplex virus (HERPESVIRUS HOMINIS), the VACCINIA VIRUS, or Varicella zoster (HERPESVIRUS 3, HUMAN). It is usually superimposed on a preexisting, inactive or active, atopic dermatitis (DERMATITIS, ATOPIC).
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