Helioseismic Holography of Simulated Solar Convection and Prospects for the Detection of Small‐Scale Subsurface Flows

Herpes zoster is a clinical entity reflecting activation of a preexisting latent varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection. In other words, a single etiologic agent, VZV, is responsible for 2 different diseases: varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles). The risk of developing herpes zoster increases with age, and the risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia complication after the zoster rash increases with age, as well. Postherpetic neuralgia, a persistent pain syndrome that can last for many years, can be severely disabling and can greatly affect quality of life. Until recently, herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia could not be prevented. However, in June 2005, an article published in the New England Journal of Medicine reported the results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, in which >19,000 US adults who received a live attenuated zoster vaccine manufactured by Merck were followed up for ∼3 years [1]. The zoster vaccine significantly reduced the incidence of herpes zoster, as well as the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia. As a result, in May 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration licensed the herpes zoster vaccine (Zostavax; Merck) for the prevention of herpes zoster in immunocompetent individuals aged ⩾60 years. In October 2006, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta, GA) unanimously recommended the routine administration of a single dose of such a vaccine to all adults aged ⩾60 years. The publication of Herpes Zoster: Recent Aspects of Diagnosis and Control could, therefore, be considered to be timely. Surprisingly, however, the major advancement in the prevention of herpes zoster and its complications (reported above) is not even mentioned in the chapter about varicella vaccine. Such an omission undoubtedly represents a major drawback of the book and is difficult to understand, because the zoster vaccine study is referenced in at least 2 other chapters. Herpes Zoster: Recent Aspects of Diagnosis and Control is predominantly written by German authors and is divided into 4 parts. Part 1 focuses on virology and laboratory investigations, part 2 on clinical manifestations, part 3 on therapy, and part 4 on epidemiology and control of herpes zoster. An excellent iconography is included in the chapters describing clinical manifestations of the disease in immunocompetent and immunocompromised subjects, whereas the illustrations in the chapter about laboratory confirmation reveal some superficiality in the legends and are scarcely informative. Important topics, such as available therapeutic options for herpes zoster, as well as prevention and therapy of postherpetic neuralgia, are well presented in ad hoc chapters. Particularly informative is the chapter describing furopyrimidine nucleoside analogues, a new class of highly effective and VZV-specific candidate drugs that are being developed. The chapter about VZV during pregnancy adequately covers the issues related to fetal consequences after maternal varicella (maternal zoster does not pose any significant risk to the fetus), as well as potentialities and difficulties of laboratory diagnosis of congenital varicella. However, because congenital varicella syndrome can be actively prevented by vaccination, I would have appreciated the authors to have put more emphasis on the need for the identification and vaccination of VZV-susceptible women of childbearing age. In summary, this book provides a comprehensive overview and practical information regarding the clinical presentation and treatment of herpes zoster and, therefore, represents a useful tool for health care professionals.