Varicella-zoster virus (VZV)

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), scientifically classified as Human alphaherpesvirus 3, is a double-stranded DNA virus responsible for two distinct clinical conditions: varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles) (StatPearls, 2023). As a member of the Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily, VZV establishes lifelong latency within the sensory nerve ganglia following primary infection (CDC, 2021). The virus utilizes envelope glycoproteins to infect host cells, including T-lymphocytes and epithelial cells, facilitating systemic spread and the development of characteristic skin lesions (UniProt, 2024). Pharmacological management typically involves nucleoside analogs such as acyclovir, which selectively target the viral DNA polymerase to inhibit replication (PubMed, 2022). In preventive medicine, the whole live attenuated virus (Oka strain) is employed in vaccines to elicit robust humoral and cellular immune responses, thereby preventing primary infection and reducing the risk of reactivation in older adults (NIH, 2021).

Other names

Human alphaherpesvirus 3HHV-3Chickenpox virusShingles virus

Antiviral drugs like acyclovir act as competitive inhibitors of viral DNA polymerase, leading to DNA chain termination and inhibition of viral replication. Live attenuated vaccines utilize a weakened form of the virus to induce a broad adaptive immune response, including the production of VZV-specific antibodies and the activation of T-lymphocytes, which provide long-term protection against wild-type infection and reactivation.