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Biomedical subjects

Deborah Pavan-Langston

Publications and source records attributed to Deborah Pavan-Langston.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Recommendations for the management of herpes zoster.

The objective of this article is to provide evidence-based recommendations for the management of patients with herpes zoster (HZ) that take into account clinical efficacy, adverse effects, impact on quality of life, and costs of treatment. Systematic literature reviews, published randomized clinical trials, existing guidelines, and the authors' clinical and research experience relevant to the management of patients with HZ were reviewed at a consensus meeting. The results of controlled trials and the clinical experience of the authors support the use of acyclovir, brivudin (where available), famciclovir, and valacyclovir as first-line antiviral therapy for the treatment of patients with HZ. Specific recommendations for the use of these medications are provided. In addition, suggestions are made for treatments that, when used in combination with antiviral therapy, may further reduce pain and other complications of HZ.

2-Aminopurine↗
PubMed2006

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus in otherwise healthy children.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the complications of herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) in children. DESIGN: Prospective-observational case series. METHODS: Ten healthy patients (five boys, five girls) with HZO were prospectively followed. Data regarding best-corrected visual acuity, biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure, corneal sensitivity, and funduscopy were collected. The median duration of follow-up was 19 months (range eight to 78 months). RESULTS: The mean age at presentation was 8.7 years (range two to 14 years +/-3.95). At last visit, two patients (20%) had decreased visual acuity and nine (90%) had some degree of abnormal corneal sensitivity and corneal opacity despite good final visual acuity. CONCLUSION: In general, HZO seems to have a good prognosis in healthy children; nonetheless, some cases can present severe eye complications causing visual loss.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed2003

Ocular complications of smallpox vaccination.

PURPOSE: To describe the ocular complications of smallpox vaccination and to discuss potential therapeutic options. DESIGN: Review of pertinent medical literature and recent treatment recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RESULTS: After immunization against smallpox, vaccinia infection of the eyelid, conjunctiva, or ocular surface can result from accidental autoinoculation from a vaccination site before scab formation or from contact with a recently vaccinated individual. While uncommon, corneal involvement can lead to stromal opacification and scarring. Clinical findings of ocular and periocular vaccinia must be differentiated from those produced by other pathogens such as molluscum contagiosum, herpes simplex, varicella zoster, and acanthamoeba infections. Clinical diagnosis can be confirmed by electron microscopy to identify the presence of orthopoxvirus, as well as by virologic culture, polymerase chain reaction, and/or restriction endonuclease analysis of viral isolates. CONCLUSIONS: While the majority of ocular complications of smallpox vaccination in immunocompetent patients are self-limiting, selective cases may require treatment with trifluridine drops, topical corticosteroids and vaccinia immune globulin (VIG). Vaccinia virus does not appear to be sensitive to acyclovir. Specific treatment recommendations are outlined for the spectrum of ocular manifestations.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.↗
PubMed2002

Varicella-zoster virus: mechanisms of pathogenicity and corneal disease.

As ophthalmologists, many of our patients suffer from the ravages, both ocular and non-ocular, of the varicella-zoster virus. This article is a comprehensive review of the pathogenetic mechanisms of this ubiquitous virus. We review the basic virology, mechanisms of varicella, zoster, latency, reactivation, and the host immune response to the virus. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus is discussed with special attention to the cornea and mechanisms of viral keratitis.

Corneal Diseases↗