ABSTRACT
Herpes zoster is a major health burden that can affect individuals of any age. It is seen more commonly among individuals aged ≥50 years, those with immunocompromised status, and those on immunosuppressant drugs. It is caused by a reactivation of varicella zoster virus infection. Cell-mediated immunity plays a role in this reactivation. Fever, pain, and itch are common symptoms before the onset of rash. Post-herpetic neuralgia is the most common complication associated with herpes zoster. Risk factors and complications associated with herpes zoster depend on the age, immune status, and the time of initializing treatment. Routine vaccination for individuals over 60 years has shown considerable effect in terms of reducing the incidence of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia. Treatment with antiviral drugs and analgesics within 72 hours of rash onset has been shown to reduce severity and complications associated with herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia. This study mainly focuses on herpes zoster using articles and reviews from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, and a manual search from Google Scholar. We cover the incidence of herpes zoster, gender distribution, seasonal and regional distribution of herpes zoster, incidence of herpes zoster among immunocompromised individuals, incidence of post-herpetic neuralgia following a zoster infection, complications, management, and prevention of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the combination of compound anisodine and physical therapy in the treatment of amblyopia,and its possible mechanism.Methods Totally 300 outpatients with amblyopia(3 to 14 years old) were randomly and equally divided into treatment group and control group.In the treatment group,subcutaneous injection of compound anisodine(2 ml,once per day) to the superficial temporal artery of eye was given for a course of 14 d and followed by another course after 5 days'interval.Cover treatment was carried out at the same time.The control group was only treated with physical therapy.Vision,central retinal artery peak systolic velocity(PSV) and diastolic resistance index(RI) were measured during the 3 months' follow-up.Results The 3 to 6-year-old efficiency was 75.0%,7 to 9-year-old efficiency was 69.6%,and 10 to 14-year-old efficiency was 61.1% ;The difference of efficiency between therapy group and control group was very significant(P0.05).Conclusion Compound anisodine plus physical therapy for amblyopia at different ages and varying degrees are effective and safe.The mechanism may be due to enhanced retinal blood supply.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of reduced glutathione(rGSH)on the retina and optic nerve in rats with experimental optic neuritis,and the underlying mechanism.Methods Animal model of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis(EAE),which was as used for acute demyelinating optic neuritis were established in 48 female SD rats,and then the rats were randomly divided into EAE group(n=18)and GSH group(n=30).Another 6 female SD rats served as normal control.Rats of GSH group received an intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg?kg-1?d-1 GSH for 14 d from the beginning of immunization,while the rats of EAE group were given saline alternatively.To observe pathological changes in the optic nerve,retinal ganglion cells(RGCs)apoptosis,and measure malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-PX),nitric oxide(NO)levels in the retina were observed and measured in the early period,peak period and recovery period(12 to 14 d,16 to 18 d,or 26 to 28 d after the immunization)of the neuritis.Results There were 18 rats(60%)from GSH group having the disease with a symptom score of 1 to 3.Compared with those of EAE group,their optic nerve fibers were in a comparatively good order,and more glial cells and not obvious demyelination were observed in morphology;Significant lesser apoptotic RGCs were observed in GSH group than in EAE group at the early and peak period(P