Transcript The Chickenpox Virus

THE CHICKENPOX VIRUS
Sarah Etzel
The Chickenpox Virus
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Introduction
Epidemiology
Background
Mode of Transmission
Methods of Human Resistance
Clinical Symptoms
Treatment Methods
Conclusion & Questions
Introduction
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Derives from:
varicella-zoster virus
 Alphaherpesvirus
 Herpesviridae
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Family
Worldwide Epidemic
Easily transmissible
Epidemiology
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Derives from varicella-zoster virus
Worldwide Epidemic
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Temperate Climates
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Countries with high morbidity rates of chickenpox cases:
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Countries with low morbidity rates of chickenpox cases
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Netherlands
Common Time of Outbreak Occurrence
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U.S., England, Wales, Germany
Late Winter and Spring
Three varicella-zoster virus genotypes
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Geographical Origination-Based
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Ex. Japanese, European, etc.
Background
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Herpesviridae Family
 Alphaherpes
virus
 Herpes
Simple Virus
Types 1 and 2
 Structure
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Homologous Genes
Life-Long Latent
Infection
 Host’s
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Gene Expression
Potential effect on the
outcome of the
infection
Background
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Varicella-Zoster Virus
Smallest Herpes Virus
 Lacks genes that correspond to certain proteins
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Ex. Glycoprotein D
Cytopathic changes occur 2-7 days from initial infection
 No effect of the genetic mutations
 Locations of Virus Latency
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Cranial Nerve Ganglia
 Dorsal Root Ganglia
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Shingles
 Occurs from varicella-zoster reactivation in late adulthood
Autonomic Ganglia
Mode of Transmission
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Respiratory
Route
Coughing
Breathing
Sneezing
Skin Lesions
Methods of Human Resistance
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Humoral Immunity
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Mediated by Antibodies
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Antibodies bind to,
counteract, and lyses the
virus-infected cells
IgG
Antibodies
-Emerges later
in antiviral
response
-Long-Term
Immunity
-Sustains for
years
IgM
Antibodies
-Emerges
immediately
after virus
exposure
-Decreases
after a couple
of months
IgA Antibodies
-Protects body
surfaces that
are exposed to
foreign
substances
Cell-Mediated Immunity
Non-Specific
 Produces:
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Macrophages
 NK Cells
 T-Lymphocytes
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Lyses varicella-zoster
virus-infected cells
Controls virus
replication in skin lesions
Cytokines
Clinical Symptoms
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Common Symptoms
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Rash
compromised of
itchy, small
blisters
Fever
Fatigue
Headache
Flu-like
Symptoms
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Uncomplicated
Cases
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Lymphopenia
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Complicated
Cases
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Decline in
lymphocyte
production
Secondary Bacterial
Infection
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Fatal Sepsis
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Necrotizing
Fascitis
Granulocytopenia
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Decline in
WBC blood
circulation
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Hospitalization
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Meningoencephaliti
s
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Cerebellar
Ataxia
Treatment Methods
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Diagnosis
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Test of antibody production type
Culture
Varicella-Zoster Virus DNA
Testing
Direst Fluorescent Antibody
Prevention
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Vaccination
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1995
Decrease in chickenpox cases by
95-100%
Effectiveness
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Protection not long-lasting
Failure of Initial Vaccination
 Contraction of chickenpox
later in life
 Riskier Complications
Treatment
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Non-Aspirin Medication
Antiviral Medication Prescription
Conclusion & Questions
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Conclusion
Not life-threatening
 Varicella-Zoster Virus is
easily detectable
 Shingles risk
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Questions
1.
2.
3.
What are the 3
antibodies that
characterize humoral
immunity?
What are the methods
of diagnosis?
What are the locations
of the latency of the
Varicella-Zoster Virus?