Daily Current Affairs : 11-September-2023

In a recent development in India’s healthcare landscape, the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) has made a groundbreaking discovery. While closely monitoring cases of monkeypox (mpox) in the country, they have stumbled upon the presence of the Clade 9 variant of Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV). This finding has sparked considerable interest and raised concerns about the potential implications for public health in India. In this essay, we will explore the significance of this discovery, understand what VZV is, its symptoms, transmission, and treatment, and discuss how it relates to monkeypox.

Understanding Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)

Names and Classification

  • Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), also known as human herpesvirus 3 (HHV-3), belongs to the herpesviridae family.
  • Herpesviridae encompasses a group of DNA viruses responsible for infections and diseases in animals, including humans.
Symptoms and Impact of VZV

Versatile Symptoms

  • VZV primarily multiplies in the tonsils, leading to a range of symptoms, including vesicular rashes, fever, myalgia, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, and lymphadenopathy.

Chickens and Shingles

  • VZV is notorious for causing chickenpox (varicella), which predominantly affects children and young adults.
  • In adults, VZV can result in shingles (herpes zoster), although it’s rare in children.

Monkeypox Connection

  • Interestingly, the symptoms of monkeypox often closely resemble those of VZV, causing frequent misdiagnoses due to their clinical similarities.
Transmission and Life-cycle

Latency and Dormancy

  • After the initial infection, VZV establishes latency, a characteristic unique to many herpes viruses.
  • Following a bout of chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in various nerve ganglia, including cranial, dorsal root, and autonomic ganglia.

Shingles Reawakening

  • Many years after the primary chickenpox infection, VZV can reactivate within the body, leading to the development of shingles.
Treatment Options

Prevention and Management

  • To prevent varicella (chickenpox) in those exposed to VZV, varicella-zoster immune globulin can be administered to reduce the severity of the disease.
  • Certain high-risk groups may consider oral acyclovir or valacyclovir treatment for moderate to severe varicella.

Important Points:

Understanding Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)

  • VZV is also known as human herpesvirus 3 (HHV-3) and belongs to the herpesviridae family, a group of DNA viruses causing infections in animals, including humans.

Symptoms and Impact of VZV

  • VZV causes a range of symptoms, including vesicular rashes, fever, myalgia, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, and lymphadenopathy.
  • It leads to chickenpox (varicella) in children and young adults and shingles (herpes zoster) in adults (rare in children).
  • The clinical presentations of VZV and monkeypox often resemble each other, leading to misdiagnoses.

Transmission and Life-cycle

  • VZV establishes latency after the primary infection, unique to herpes viruses.
  • The virus remains dormant in various nerve ganglia, including cranial, dorsal root, and autonomic ganglia.
  • VZV can reactivate years after the initial infection, causing shingles.

Treatment Options

  • Varicella-zoster immune globulin can prevent varicella or reduce its severity in those exposed to VZV.
  • Some high-risk groups may consider oral acyclovir or valacyclovir treatment for moderate to severe varicella.
Why In News

During the surveillance of monkeypox (mpox) cases in India, the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) made a groundbreaking discovery: the presence of the Clade 9 variant of varicella zoster virus (VZV) in the country for the first time. This revelation opens new avenues for research and underscores the importance of continued monitoring of emerging viral strains in India’s healthcare system.

MCQs about Clade 9 Variant of VZV

  1. What is the Clade 9 variant of VZV?
    A. A strain of chickenpox
    B. A variant of monkeypox
    C. A new herpesvirus
    D. A subtype of Varicella Zoster Virus
    Correct Answer: D. A subtype of Varicella Zoster Virus
    Explanation: The Clade 9 variant of VZV was detected during surveillance of monkeypox cases in India, and it’s a subtype of Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV).
  2. Which herpesvirus primarily causes chickenpox in children and young adults?
    A. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
    B. Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)
    C. Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)
    D. Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
    Correct Answer: B. Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)
    Explanation: VZV primarily causes chickenpox in children and young adults.
  3. What is the main characteristic of herpes viruses like VZV?
    A. They don’t establish latency
    B. They only affect adults
    C. They cause immediate symptoms
    D. They can establish latency after primary infection
    Correct Answer: D. They can establish latency after primary infection
    Explanation: One unique feature of herpes viruses, including VZV, is their ability to establish latency after the primary infection.
  4. What treatment option is mentioned for individuals exposed to VZV who cannot receive the varicella vaccine?
    A. Antibiotics
    B. Varicella-zoster immune globulin
    C. Over-the-counter pain relievers
    D. Antiviral medications
    Correct Answer: B. Varicella-zoster immune globulin
    Explanation: For individuals exposed to VZV who cannot receive the varicella vaccine, varicella-zoster immune globulin can be used to prevent varicella from developing or reduce its severity.

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