Detection of varicella‐zoster virus DNA in 414 human trigeminal ganglia from cadavers by the polymerase chain reaction: A comparison of the detection rate of varicella‐zoster virus and herpes simplex virus type 1

Abstract

Investigation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is important epidemiologically, and determination of its prevalence rate in human trigeminal ganglia is important to provide surveillance data. To date, studies on VZV detection in trigeminal ganglia have used specimens obtained from a relatively limited number of cadavers. This study attempted to detect VZV DNA as well as Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) DNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from 414 samples of trigeminal ganglia obtained from 207 cadavers selected at random. The detection rate was examined to determine whether there were significant differences in the positive rate between the left and right trigeminal ganglia, males and females, and among age groups. A relationship was found between the positive rates for VZV and HSV-1. VZV DNA was detected in 391 of the trigeminal ganglia (94.4%) and 201 of the cadavers (97.1%) in 121/124 males and 80/83 females. HSV-1 DNA was detected in 251 of the samples (60.6%) and 134 of the cadavers (64.7%) in 72/124 males and 62/83 females. There was no significant difference for either virus in the detection rates between the left and right trigeminal ganglia and males and females. Age and positivity for HSV-1, but not VZV, showed a significant relationship. All 134 cadavers positive for HSV-1 were also positive for VZV. VZV and HSV-1 become latent in bilateral trigeminal ganglia, and are not affected by gender. The prevalence of HSV-1 was greater in advanced age, and the HSV-1-positive rate was correlated with the VZV-positive rate.

The current state of vaccine development for ocular HSV-1 infection

“…Data from a recent large study (n = 414 TG from 207 cadavers) conducted in Japan show that the incidence of HSV-1 infection increases with age. Furthermore, this study revealed that nearly all people greater than 60 years old harbor latent HSV-1 in the TG [27] and complements an earlier study ( n = 242 TG from 121 cadavers) indicating similar age-based trends in HSV-1 infection in the TG in Japan [28]. One large study from Germany ( n = 109 cadavers) also supports age-based trends in the incidence of HSV-1 infection [29].…”

A Genome-Wide Comparative Evolutionary Analysis of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Varicella Zoster Virus

“…In a comparative study on viral presence in trigeminal ganglia from cadavers, VZV was detected in 97% and HSV-1 in 65% of the subjects [23]. While HSV-1 may reactivate frequently (up to monthly in some cases) to cause oral herpes, the reactivation of VZV in form of herpes zoster seldom occurs more than once in a lifetime.…”

Varicella-Zoster Virus and Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Can Infect and Replicate in the Same Neurons whether Co- or Superinfected

“…Furthermore, both VZV and HSV are widespread human pathogens, with about 60 to 90% of the population latently infected by both viruses by adulthood (19). It has been reported that both viruses can reside latently in the same trigeminal ganglion (19)(20)(21)(22), and evidence from in situ hybridization suggests the rare presence of both HSV1 and VZV genomes in the same cells (23). However, the ability of both viruses to productively infect the same neuron has not been investigated.…”