Turns out that a study found that the reactivation of VZV is associated with the use of certain drugs, such as methotrexate and certain biologic medications [2]. Image by: Freedigitalphotos.net

Reactivation of VZV usually occurs as a result of weakening of the immune system due to aging or a damaged immune system. Children may also develop shingles, however the risk of getting shingles increases when as you get older, usually at the age of 60 or older[1].

 

The development of technology in the modern era has contributed to our understanding of various diseases mechanisms and drug development methods. In addition, post clinical epidemiological research highly contributes to our understanding of whether a current treatment is efficient and to what extent.

Turns out that a study found that the reactivation of VZV is associated with the use of certain drugs, such as methotrexate and certain biologic medications [2].

This study results suggest the need for a vaccination against VZV in patients with psoriasis and various risk factors for shingles. Image by: Freedigitalphotos.net

 

I bet your next question might be, “What is Methotrexate?” Well, good question! Methotrexate is a medication used to treat certain types of cancer such as breast, skin, head and neck, or lung, as well as severe psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis [3]. According to Medline Plus, Methotrexate may decrease the activity of the immune system, and as a result develop serious infections [4]. Which actually may be the reason to the reactivation of VZV I mentioned, though the actual reason for reactivation was not discussed in the study.

In actual fact, Psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis are a chronic inflammatory disorders of the immune system [5-6], in which the body actually attacks itself. This causes a problem: on the one hand, there is a need to regulate and control the immune system, and on the other hand, if the immune system is too down regulated, the body won’t be able to fight latent infections. Therefore, this study results suggest the need for a vaccination against VZV in patients with psoriasis and various risk factors for shingles.
References
1. CDC.gov – “Shingles (Herpes Zoster)” – Prevention & Treatment. Last Reviewed on May 1, 2014.
http://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/prevention-treatment.html
2. Family Practice News – Methotrexate and biologics linked to higher zoster risk in psoriasis. Published on March 22, 2015.
3. Drugs.com – Methotrexate. Last revised on January 6, 2015.
http://www.drugs.com/methotrexate.html
4. Medline Plus – Methotrexate. Last revised May 15, 2014.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682019.html
5. Psoriasisconnect.com – Psoriasis and your immune system.
http://www.psoriasisconnect.com/learn/psoriasis-and-immune-sys.jsp
6. Shah, Ankur. Harrison’s Principle of Internal Medicine (18th ed.). United States: McGraw Hill. p. 2738.

Few research suggests that the herpes virus, may cause fertility problems in men. Image by: Freedigitalphotos.net

Nowadays, many couples have difficulties conceiving. It may involve both partners, and may be attributable to various reasons. Few of the main causes of male infertility includes abnormal sperm production or function, problems with the delivery of sperm, overexposure to certain chemicals and toxins and damage related to cancer and its treatment, whereas causes of female infertility include ovulation disorders, uterine or cervical abnormalities, thyroid problems, cancer and its treatment and more [1].

Well, apparently those aren’t the only reasons for infertility.

Few research suggests that the herpes virus, especially (HSV-2), which normally causes genital herpes, may cause fertility problems in men.

These studies stated that infertility may be caused either by directly invading the male genital tract cells, or by indirectly causing local inflammatory or immunological response that could worsen reproductive functions [2-3].

The bottom line is that HSV may make it harder for a couple to conceive.

So here is some advice for women with herpes: try to conceive during your ovulating period and only when you aren’t having an outbreak, that is, when symptoms are not evident. And anyway, if you and your partner are witnessing difficulties to conceive, it is important you consult your doctor.
References:
1. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infertility/basics/causes/con-20034770
2. Seyed Hamidreza Monavari,a, Mostafa Salehi Vaziri,b Mohammadali Khalili,c Mahmoud Shamsi-Shahrabadi,b Hossein Keyvani,b Hamidreza Mollaei,b and Mehdi Fazlalipourb “Asymptomatic seminal infection of herpes simplex virus: impact on male infertility.” The Journal of Biomedical Research. Published Online in 2012.
3. el Borai N1, Inoue M, Lefèvre C, Naumova EN, Sato B, Yamamura M. “Detection of herpes simplex DNA in semen and menstrual blood of individuals attending an infertility clinic.” Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research. Published in February 1997.

Individuals who experience a shingles outbreak are almost twice as likely to develop Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Image by: Freedigitalphotos.net

Are you familiar with the herpes virus? That annoying virus that causes cold sores on the lips?

So it turns out that it is not the only Herpes virus, but a member of a family of viruses called herpesviridae.

Therefore there are several types of herpes viruses, while each virus infects a different part of the body, as well as causes different symptoms.

For example, Herpes virus 2 (HSV-2), causes genital warts, whereas Cytomegalovirus (CMV) causes mild symptoms or no symptoms at all [4].

I bet you’re asking yourselves by now, “Why is she telling us all about types of Herpes viruses??”

Well, the fact is that I actually want to tell you about Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), which is also a member of the Herpesvirus group. Interestingly, primary infections with VZV cause chickenpox whereas shingles is caused by recurrent infection [1].

And it doesn’t end there, after a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus persists in the sensory nerve in a latent state. For reasons that are not fully known, the virus can reactivate years later, causing shingles.

Another interesting fact is that apparently individuals who experience a shingles outbreak are almost twice as likely to develop Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

Another interesting fact is that apparently individuals who experience a shingles outbreak are almost twice as likely to develop Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

We must realize the fact that many diseases once thought unrelated to each other, emerge as related to a very large extent. Therefore, the importance of continued research in the field is enormous. Image by: www.freedigitalphotos.net

And what is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome you ask? Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disorder characterized by unexplainable constant fatigue (tired and weak all the time), while several factors contribute to the development of the disease, such as latent viral infections [2,3].

According to the study, due to its ability to infect the nerves, latent VZV causes long term nerve dysfunction, which helps explain why individuals infected with VZV experience CFS symptoms.

Moreover, additional studies had shown that administering antiherpes agents causes significant improvement in some CFS patients [3].

The medical world is extremely broad, and despite advanced technology and various tools we posses, there are still diseases which are not fully understood.

Furthermore, we must realize the fact that many diseases once thought unrelated to each other, emerge as related to a very large extent. Therefore, the importance of continued research in the field is enormous.

References:

1. CDC.gov – Shingles (Herpes Zoster) – Signs & Symptoms
cdc.gov/shingles/about/symptoms.html

2. Tsai SY1, Yang TY, Chen HJ, Chen CS, Lin WM, Shen WC, Kuo CN, Kao CH. Increased risk of chronic fatigue syndrome following herpes zoster: a population-based study. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2014 Sep;33(9):1653-9.

3. Shapiro JS. Does varicella-zoster virus infection of the peripheral ganglia cause Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Med Hypotheses. 2009 Nov;73(5):728-34. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19520522

4. Whitley, Richard J., David W. Kimberlin, and Bernard Roizman. “Herpes simplex viruses.” Clinical Infectious Diseases (1998): 541-553.

Herpes virus wear armor making them stronger

Many knights differ from each other by their armor, depending on their enemies’ level, and type of armor. You may compare it to the different composition of many viruses in nature, that adopt a specific outer envelope depending on their host.

The role of the virus’ outer envelope is first and foremost to protect it, mainly due to the fact that viruses are parasites that cannot survive outside the host cell [1].

If by any chance you ever had those annoying cold sores in your mouth, you are probably infected with herpes. It turns out that the symptoms are usually limited to sores or blisters, and it doesn’t end here- evidently, the virus stays in your body in a latent state, which is basically similar to falling asleep.

In this state, amazingly, it has the ability to hide from your immune system! And finally, in some cases such as stress or strong sunlight it will travel back to your skin and eventually cause an eruption of cold sores on your mouth [2,3].

In the case of Herpes virus, scientists have discovered that the structure of its outer envelope is similar to a grid, a “mesh like” structure if you may, allowing it to withstand enormous environmental pressures, and explains why herpes can maintain long-term infections [4,5].

A close up of a piece of fabric which illustrates the Herpes outer envelope

Let me remind you that up to date, there is no Herpes vaccine, so what’s striking about this discovery is that it may open up new possibilities for vaccine developments.

It is very important to find a vaccine since it would prevent the continued suffering of Herpes patients as well as the economic burden caused by the needed treatment.

Finally, we are on the right path for discovering a herpes vaccine. We must rely on talented scientists around the world, who dedicate themselves completely in order to discover new facts about herpes virus.

References:

1. Wimmer, Eckard, et al. “Synthetic viruses: a new opportunity to understand and prevent viral disease.”Nature biotechnology 27.12 (2009): 1163-1172.

2. Nahmias, André J., and William E. Josey. “Herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2.” Viral infections of humans. Springer US, 1984. 351-372.‏

3. Whitley, Richard J., David W. Kimberlin, and Bernard Roizman. “Herpes simplex viruses.” Clinical Infectious Diseases (1998): 541-553.

4. Scientific American – Crow, D. The Epstein–Barr Virus Wears Chain Mail. Published on October 13, 2014.

5. Zhou, Z. Hong, et al. “Four Levels of Hierarchical Organization, Including Noncovalent Chainmail, Brace the Mature Tumor Herpesvirus Capsid against Pressurization.”Structure” 22.10 (2014): 1385-1398.