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Immunology of Varicella-Zoster Virus

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Immunology of Human Infection

Part of the book series: Comprehensive Immunology ((COMIMUN,volume 9))

Abstract

The present decade should witness significant advances in the understanding and control of varicella-zoster (V-Z) infection. In vitro assays for examining the many aspects of the host’s immune responses have recently been developed, and immunotherapy including zoster immune globulin (ZIG), hyperimmune plasma, varicella-zoster vaccine, and transfer factor are now being examined for therapeutic efficacy. Previous attempted modes of treatment such as antiviral chemotherapeutic agents have generally been inadequate, yet preliminary results indicate that various aspects of immunotherapy may provide the clinical armamentarium so long awaited for combating this ubiquitous viral agent. An understanding of the immunology of V-Z virus disease is of course essential for guiding efforts at therapy and such investigations are currently developing.

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  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 72205, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

    Russell W. Steele

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  1. Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    André J. Nahmias

  2. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA

    Richard J. O’Reilly

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© 1982 Plenum Publishing Corporation

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Steele, R.W. (1982). Immunology of Varicella-Zoster Virus. In: Nahmias, A.J., O’Reilly, R.J. (eds) Immunology of Human Infection. Comprehensive Immunology, vol 9. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-1012-9_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-1012-9_3

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