Abstract

Herpes zoster is a serious and very common disease of aging individuals. The frequency and morbidity of this illnes increases with the age of the patient. Considerable evidence suggests that this correlation reflects a decrease in immunity to varicella zoster virus (VZV)--the causative agent of herpes zoster--as part of the aging process. This project will determine which specific components, or defects in these components, of the immune responses of elderly individuals best correlate with their susceptibility to herpes zoster. This information will complement similar data derived in Project 1 which seeks to correlate immune deficits with post- herpetic pain. Correcting these defects will be the endpoint of a pilot trial in which elderly individuals will receive a live attenuated varicella vaccine. Finally, if an appropriate response to the vaccine is achieved, we will undertake a much larger trial with the goal of enhancing immune responses to VZV sufficiently to prevent herpes zoster.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Program Projects (P01)
Project #
5P01NS032623-09
Application #
5215479
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
1996
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Publications

Cohrs, Randall J; Lee, Katherine S; Beach, Addilynn et al. (2017) Targeted Genome Sequencing Reveals Varicella-Zoster Virus Open Reading Frame 12 Deletion. J Virol 91:
Ouwendijk, Werner J D; van Veen, Suzanne; Mahalingam, Ravi et al. (2017) Simian varicella virus inhibits the interferon gamma signalling pathway. J Gen Virol :
Ouwendijk, Werner J D; Getu, Sarah; Mahalingam, Ravi et al. (2016) Characterization of the immune response in ganglia after primary simian varicella virus infection. J Neurovirol 22:376-88
Birlea, Marius; Owens, Gregory P; Eshleman, Emily M et al. (2013) Human anti-varicella-zoster virus (VZV) recombinant monoclonal antibody produced after Zostavax immunization recognizes the gH/gL complex and neutralizes VZV infection. J Virol 87:415-21
Wolf, James; Nagel, Maria A; Mahalingam, Ravi et al. (2012) Chronic active varicella zoster virus infection. Neurology 79:828-9
Mueller, Niklaus H; Bos, Nathan L; Seitz, Scott et al. (2012) Recombinant monoclonal antibody recognizes a unique epitope on varicella-zoster virus immediate-early 63 protein. J Virol 86:6345-9
Nagel, Maria A; Bert, Robert J; Gilden, Don (2012) Raeder syndrome produced by extension of chronic inflammation to the internal carotid artery. Neurology 79:1296-7
Brennan, Kathryn M; Galban-Horcajo, Francesc; Rinaldi, Simon et al. (2011) Lipid arrays identify myelin-derived lipids and lipid complexes as prominent targets for oligoclonal band antibodies in multiple sclerosis. J Neuroimmunol 238:87-95
Haug, Aaron; Mahalingam, Ravi; Cohrs, Randall J et al. (2010) Recurrent polymorphonuclear pleocytosis with increased red blood cells caused by varicella zoster virus infection of the central nervous system: Case report and review of the literature. J Neurol Sci 292:85-8
Mahalingam, Ravi; Traina-Dorge, Vicki; Wellish, Mary et al. (2010) Latent simian varicella virus reactivates in monkeys treated with tacrolimus with or without exposure to irradiation. J Neurovirol 16:342-54

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