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vesicular rash on erythematous base along one dermatome. Usually does not cross the midline, though due to a small overlap of spinal nerves, may cross slightly.
It comes from the Latin ‘cingulus’ which means ‘girdle’. ‘Gird’ means to encircle as with a belt or band. A girdle is a device which encircles in such a fashion. With varicella’s tendency to follow a dermatome around the body, it is clear to what ‘cingulus’ refers.
EMEDhome:
The diagnosis of herpes zoster is based on clinical
presentation. The primary differential diagnosis is zosteriform herpes simplex
virus infection. How does the clinician differentiate the two?
Herpes
simplex infection tends to produce a shorter and milder prodrome, followed by
skin vesicles that are more uniform, smaller, and closely clustered. Herpes
simplex is also more likely to be recurrent (Mayo Clin Proc, Vo. 79, pg. 1057).
The immunocompromised can have multi-dermatomal involvement.
Can give acyclovir if immunocompromised, eye involvement (suspect if nose affected), elderly, or disseminated
Use acyclovir, fam, or val. Possible superiority of Valtrex, also less expensive (In long Run) and more compliance. Steroids do not help prevent post neuralgia or outcome (NEJM 330:896). The elderly should be treated with antivirals if less than 72 hours from rash onset as they will still derive benefit.
Acyclovir — Acyclovir (ACV) has an excellent safety profile but is only moderately active against VZV in vitro with a median effective concentration (EC50) of 2.3 to 4.0 µg/mL against clinical viral isolates [5]. Although oral ACV (800 mg five times daily for 7-10 days) has been the mainstay of herpes zoster treatment, its poor bioavailability and need for frequent daily dosing has prompted the design of newer antiviral agents (valacyclovir and famciclovir) with improved pharmacokinetics [6-9].
Valacyclovir — Valacyclovir is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal
tract and is rapidly converted to ACV in vivo, thereby providing a three- to
five-fold increase in ACV bioavailability [9,13]. (See "Valacyclovir: An
overview"). Valacyclovir is approved by the United States Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) for the treatment of herpes zoster in immunocompetent
adults.
(1000 mg PO three times daily for 7 to 14 days)
Famciclovir — Famciclovir, the prodrug of penciclovir, is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and is rapidly converted in the intestinal wall and liver to the active compound penciclovir that has broad activity against VZV (500 mg given three times daily)
Localized herpes zoster in an immunocompetent host is only contagious from
direct contact with open lesions.
The mechanism of zoster paresis has not been determined. Weakness develops
abruptly within 2-3 weeks after the rash and can involve upper or lower
extremities. The prognosis of zoster paresis is good (MMWR, June 6, 2008).
herpetic involvement of tip of nose, V1 distribution
treat c acycolvir, fam, or val. Get Optho consult
can treat with oral if immunocompetent (N Engl J Med 2002 Aug 1;347(5):340-6.)
Ramsey Hunt syndrome is characterized by unilateral facial paralysis, a herpetiform vesicular eruption, and vestibulocochlear dysfunction. Can see vesicles on ear drum and decreased taste. The vesicular eruption may occur on the pinna, external auditory canal, tympanic membrane, soft palate, oral cavity, face, and neck as far down as the shoulder. There is considerably more pain than is associated with Bell’s palsy, and the pain is frequently out of proportion to physical findings. In addition, outcomes are worse than with Bell’s palsy, with a lower incidence of complete facial recovery and the possibility of sensorineural hearing loss. Therapy is similar to that for Bell’s palsy. Antiviral therapy for 7 to 10 days have been advocated, also steroids prednisone 60 mg c 3 week taper.
RAMSAY HUNT SYNDROME -
A Case ReportP.S. NAGAPUPRE
A Case Report
Prof & Head, Deptt of ENT, MGIMS Sevagram,
Wardha, Maharashtra -442102
Introduction :
In 1906 James Ramsay Hunt gave a classic
description of the syndrome consisting of blisters
facial paralysis, and inner ear disturbances due
to herpes zoster. Since his description, the name
Ramsay Hunt and the designation Herpes Zoster
Oticus have been synonymous.He felt the problem
to be geniculate ganglionitis due to the herpes
virus. Subsequent investigators with the benefit
of histopathologic studies of autopsy cases of
patients with herpes zoster oticus demonstrated
little, if any, ganglion involvement. They did find
heavy lymphocytic infiltration in the substance
of the facial nerve. These findings were present
in facial nerve in several patients with paralysis
who recovered (1).
Discussion :
Herpes zoster oticus or Ramsay Hunt
syndrome includes facial paralysis associated with
hearing loss, dizziness, and herpetic eruption
around the auricle (commonest site being the
concha of the auricle). Herpes zoster oticus is the
cause of 2 to 10% of all cases of facial paralysis,
including 3 to 12% of adults and approximately
5% of children.
The facial nerve is the commonest to be
involved followed by the ocular nerve. This is due
to the fact that these nerves pass through bony
canal in the skull. This course in the bony canal
increases the chances of entrapment.
Pathologically, the theory of inflammatory
changes as a cause of Bell’s palsy or facial paralysis
has been proposed by many authors. Sade described
casesoffacialparalysissecondarytoexternalotitis
with the inflammation traveling along the chorda
tympani or sensory anastomoses to the facial
nerve. Denny - Brown showed that pressure on a
nerve causes ischemic paralysis. Even a small
amount of inflammation will suffice to cause
pressure; thus, a relatively small amount of edema
or inflammatory exudates could cause strangulation
of the nerve. Fisch proved these changes
with photography of the inflammatory changes
in the labyrinthine portion of the facial nerve (1).
Hunt classified the disease into 4 grades
asfollow (7):
(1) Disease affecting the sensory portion of
the CN VII.
(2) Disease affecting the sensory and motor
divisions of the CN VII
(3) Disease affecting the sensory and motor
divisions of the CN VII with auditory
symptoms
(4) Disease affecting the sensory and motor
divisions of the CN VIIwith both auditory
and vestibular symptoms.
Many authors have shown that there is no
real difference between herpes zoster and Bell’s
palsy. Complement fixation test carried out by
Tomita et al (3) in 1973 found that 25% of patients
with Bell’s palsy had positive for complement
J MGIMS, January 2006, Vol 11, No (i), 55 - 57
fixation tests. Paralysis of herpes zoster may more
likely be a complete but predictability from
electrical tests, and the time of recovery seem
similar to those of Bell’s palsy however the
natural history between the two differs in several
ways (2).
1. Bell’s palsy recurs in 12% of cases, but
Herpes Zoster rarely recurs.
2. With Bell’s palsy the decrease in response
to electrical testing peaks in 5-10 days
but in Herpes zoster the peak is later
(10-14days).
3. 84% of those suffering from Bell’s palsy
have satisfactory recovery, but 60% of
those with Herpes zoster oticus recover
to a satisfactroy degree.
The medical management for facial
paralysis of herpes zoster is aimed at eliminating
inflammation and ischemia of the nerve, thereby
restoring facial function as quickly as possible.
Steroid dose as recommended for adults is a
daily total of 1mg/kg body weight in divided
dose. If the palsy is incomplete by the fifth day
the dosage can be tapered to zero during the next
5 days, if there is a question about the severity
or the progression of severity full dosage is
recommended for 10 days and then tapered
over the next 5 days(4,5).
Acyclovir, a virostatic drug developed
for the use in the treatment of herpes simplex
has been found to prevent replication of varicellazoster
virus. Acyclovir in the host cell is converted
to acyclovir triphosphate and gets incorporated
in the newly formed viral DNA, resulting in
termination of the DNA molecular chain. Because
VZV is generally less sensitive to acyclovir than
is HSV, higher dose must be used to treat VZV
infection. Oral Acyclovir is available; however,
absorption from the gastrointestinal tract is only
15% - 25% of the ingested dose. A dose of 800mg
five times a day has a modest beneficial effect to
localize the lesion. For these reason intravenous
dose of 10 mg/kg every 8 hours over a 7 days
hospitalization has been recommended. This
intravenous route has more inherent expenses
than an oral route of administration. Prognosis
depends primarily on immediate initiation of
therapy(6). Alternate antiviral agents such as
valacyclovir (1 g orally three times a day for 10
to 14 days) or famciclovir (500mg orally three
times a day for 10 days), which achieve adequate
levels by an oral route, are now available as an
alternative to intra-venous.
Bibliography :
1. Crabtree, J.A., Herpes Zoster Oticus and Facial
paralysis.
Otolarygologic clinnic of North America,June 1974.
7(2): p. 369-373.2. May, B.S.a.M., Disorder of the facial nerve. sixth
ed. Scott-Brown’s Otolaryngology, ed. A.G.
Kerr. Vol. vol. 3. 1997, Jordan Hill, Oxford:
Butterworth-Heinmann. 3/24/25.
3. Tomita, H., Hayakawa, W. and Hondo, R.,
varizella-Zoster virus in idiopathic facial palsy.
Archives otolayngology,
1972. 95: p. 364.4. May, B.S.a.M., Causes and management of facial
paralysis. sixth edition ed. Disease of the ear, ed.
L.a. Wright, 198 madison avenue, New York:
Georgina Bentloff. 261.
5. Adour, k.K., Facial paralysis.
Trans. Am. Acad.Ophthal. Otolaryng.,
1971. 76: p. 1284.6. John R.E. Dickins, J.T., Sharon S. Graham,
Herpes zoster oticus : Treatment with intravenous
Acyclovir.
Laryngoscope, july 1988. 98: p.776-779.7. Phillip A. Wackym, John S. Rhee., facial paralysis
sixteen ed. Ballenger’s Otorhinolaryngology
Head and Neck surgery, ed. Snow, J.B.Jr.,
Ballenger, J.J, 2003, BC Decker Inc., Hamilton.
Ontario: 492-494.
J MGIMS, January 2006, Vol 11, No (i), 55 - 57
After zoster attack.
Persistent pain, Try TCAs.
Amitriptyline
10-25 mg
Gabapentin
Postherpetic neuralgia: Day 1: 300 mg, Day 2: 300 mg twice daily, Day 3: 300 mg
3 times/day; dose may be titrated as needed for pain relief (range: 1800-3600
mg/day, daily doses >1800 mg do not generally show greater benefit)
Treatment of Herpes Zoster (EMEDhome)
References:
(1) Sampathkumar P, et al. Herpes
Zoster (Shingles) and Postherpetic Neuralgia Mayo Clin Proc
2009;84:274-280.
(2) Harpaz R, et al. Prevention of herpes zoster:
recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices MMWR
Recomm Rep 2008;57(RR-5):1-30.
(2) Yawn BP, et al. A population-based
study of the incidence and complication rates of herpes zoster before zoster
vaccine introduction Mayo Clin Proc 2007; 82: 1341-1349.
usually HSV I, but may be HSV II
penciclovir 1% cream 2g, apply every 2 hours for 4 days. or Acyclovir 400 mg TID for 5 days
can cause mono
demyelination of CNS (white matter), paresis, personality changes, no enhancement c contrast
black vomit from coagulopathy
aka the sin nombre virus (SRV)
the rodent reservoir is the deer mouse
sever noncardiogenic pulmonary edema (NCPE)
8 to 23 day incubation period after exposure
prodome of fever and severe myalgias
lymphocytosis
florid pulmonary edema with normal heart size
PCR for SNV
No treatment, mortality of 50%
Viruses in the Paramyxoviridae family include many common,
well-known
agents associated with respiratory infections, such as respiratory
syncytial virus, and childhood illnesses, including the viruses that cause
mumps and measles. Some of these viruses are widespread, particularly
during the winter season. Screening of specimens could therefore be
expected to detect particles of these common viruses. At this point, it
cannot be ruled out entirely that tests for the SARS agent are detecting
such "background" viruses rather than the true causative agent.
The Paramyxoviridae family also includes two recently recognized pathogens,
Hendra virus and Nipah virus. These related viruses are unusual in the
family in that they can infect and cause potentially fatal disease in a
number of animal hosts, including humans. Most other viruses in the family
tend to infect a single animal species only.
Nipah virus first began to cause deaths in humans in Peninsular Malaysia in
1998 in persons in close contact with pigs. The outbreak caused 265 cases
of human encephalitis, including 105 deaths. Two separate outbreaks of
Hendra virus, associated with severe respiratory disease in horses, caused
two human deaths in Australia in 1994 and 1995. No human-to-human
transmission was documented in either outbreak. No treatment was available
for cases caused by either of these two viruses. Human-to-human
transmission did not occur.
Corona Virus
Incubation period of 2-10 days
Spread by respiratory droplets perso to person, or by aerosolization during high risk procedures such as intubation or sputum induction
Most common lab abnormality was lymphopenia but can also see leukopenia thrombocytopenia, and elevated LFTs
Can dx with PCR, viral culture or EIA
randomized X2 blind, Type A and B, reduction in symptoms and time to complete cure
Four Tbl QD x 3 days of SAM (sambucol extract)
Sambucol for Influenza (J Altern and Complem Med 1:4, 1995, 361-369)
CDC Summary: Indications For
Antiviral Agents Against Influenza
MMWR Recommendations and Reports from the CDC discusses the use of
antiviral agents for influenza. Relevant portions of interest to EM practice
are summarized below. Recommended dosing of specific agents may be found in the
EMedHome Database.
Treatment
When administered within 2 days of illness onset to otherwise healthy
adults, amantadine and rimantadine can reduce the duration of uncomplicated
influenza A illness, and zanamivir and oseltamivir can reduce the duration of
uncomplicated influenza A and B illness by approximately 1 day compared with
placebo. More clinical data are available concerning the efficacy of zanamivir
and oseltamivir for treatment of influenza A infection than for treatment of
influenza B infection.
None of the four antiviral agents has been demonstrated to be effective in
preventing serious influenza-related complications (e.g., bacterial or viral
pneumonia or exacerbation of chronic diseases). Data are limited and
inconclusive concerning the effectiveness of amantadine, rimantadine, zanamivir,
and oseltamivir for treatment of influenza among persons at high risk for
serious complications of influenza. Fewer studies of the efficacy of influenza
antivirals have been conducted among pediatric populations compared with adults.
One study of oseltamivir treatment documented a decreased incidence of otitis
media among children.
To reduce the emergence of antiviral drug-resistant viruses, amantadine or
rimantadine therapy for persons with influenza A illness should be discontinued
as soon as clinically warranted, typically after 3-5 days of treatment or within
24-48 hours after the disappearance of signs and symptoms. The recommended
duration of treatment with either zanamivir or oseltamivir is 5 days.
Chemoprophylaxis
Chemoprophylactic drugs are not a substitute for vaccination, although they are
critical adjuncts in the prevention and control of influenza. Both amantadine
and rimantadine are indicated for the chemoprophylaxis of influenza A infection,
but not influenza B. Both drugs are approximately 70%-90% effective in
preventing illness from influenza A infection . When used as prophylaxis, these
antiviral agents can prevent illness while permitting subclinical infection and
the development of protective antibody against circulating influenza viruses.
Therefore, certain persons who take these drugs will develop protective immune
responses to circulating influenza viruses. Both drugs have been studied
extensively among nursing home populations as a component of influenza outbreak
control programs, which can limit the spread of influenza within chronic care
institutions
Among the neuraminidase inhibitor antivirals, zanamivir and oseltamivir, only
oseltamivir has been approved for prophylaxis.
When determining the timing and duration for administering influenza antiviral
medications for prophylaxis, factors related to cost, compliance, and potential
side effects should be considered. To be maximally effective as prophylaxis, the
drug must be taken each day for the duration of influenza activity in the
community. However, to be most cost-effective, one study of amantadine or
rimantadine prophylaxis reported that the drugs should be taken only during the
period of peak influenza activity in a community.
Persons at High Risk Who Are Vaccinated After Influenza Activity Has Begun.
Persons at high risk for complications of influenza still can be vaccinated
after an outbreak of influenza has begun in a community. However, the
development of antibodies in adults after vaccination can take approximately 2
weeks. When influenza vaccine is administered while influenza viruses are
circulating, chemoprophylaxis should be considered for persons at high risk
during the time from vaccination until immunity has developed.
Persons Who Provide Care to Those at High Risk. Chemoprophylaxis
during peak influenza activity can be considered for unvaccinated persons who
have frequent contact with persons at high risk. Persons with frequent contact
include employees of hospitals, clinics, and chronic-care facilities, household
members, visiting nurses, and volunteer workers.
Persons Who Have Immune Deficiency. Chemoprophylaxis can be
considered for persons at high risk who are expected to have an inadequate
antibody response to influenza vaccine. This category includes persons infected
with HIV, chiefly those with advanced HIV disease.
Source: MMWR Recommendations and Reports: April 25, 2003
/ Vol. 52 / No. RR-08
(Arch Intern Med 163:1667, July 28, 2003 ) Tamiflu did not lower pneumonia rates. The placebo group was sicker than the treatment group.
Clinical judgment was as good as CPR or rapid-flu test (Ann Emerg Med 2005;46(5):412)
Implications for ICUs (Inten Care Med 2006;32:823)
H5N1 increases chance of human spread
Herpes, EBV, and CMV
wider antiviral spectrum
acyclovir resistant HSV and ganciclovir resistant CMV
Herpes, HIV, HBV
for Influenza
RSV, Flu, HSV, HIV, HCV, and hemorrhagic fevers
Influenza
Influenza
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