The Journal of infection
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The Journal of infection · May 2018
Observational StudyIncidence and costs of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in German adults aged ≥50 years: A prospective study.
Herpes zoster (HZ) mainly affects elderly people and immunocompromised individuals. HZ is usually characterized by a unilateral painful skin rash. Its most common complication, postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), may cause chronic debilitating pain. This study aimed to estimate the HZ incidence in individuals aged ≥50 years in Germany, the proportion of PHN and the economic burden. ⋯ The study confirmed previous findings that HZ causes a substantial clinical and economic burden in older German adults. It also confirmed the age-related increasing risk of HZ and PHN.
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The Journal of infection · May 2018
Rhinovirus respiratory tract infection in hospitalized adult patients is associated with TH2 response irrespective of asthma.
We assessed the immunological response of hospitalized adult patients with rhinovirus infection, including critically-ill patients. ⋯ Rhinovirus infection was characterized by a prominent TH2 response, even in patients without asthma. CXCL-10 (IP-10) is a potential biomarker in differentiating rhinovirus from influenza infection.