European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a ubiquitous human herpesvirus typically causing childhood varicella (chickenpox) at which time a life-long latent infection is established in ganglionic neurons throughout the neuraxis. Reactivation of latent virus, typically in the elderly and immunocompetent usually causes zoster (shingles) but can also result in serious neurologic disease. In cases of vasculopathy, meningoencephalitis and myelitis where VZV is suspected, diagnosis requires detection of virus DNA or antibody in CSF. In collaboration with NASA, VZV DNA was found in saliva of health astronauts suggesting asymptomatic virus reaction due to the stress of spaceflight. This lead to a series of studies indicating virus DNA can be found in saliva of patients with VZV associated neurologic disease.