Similar herpes zoster incidence across Europe: results from a systematic literature review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Herpes zoster (HZ) is caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and mainly affects individuals aged ≥50 years. The forthcoming European launch of a vaccine against HZ (Zostavax®) prompts the need for a better understanding of the epidemiology of HZ in Europe. Therefore the aim of this systematic review was to summarize the available data on HZ incidence in Europe and to describe age-specific incidence.

Methods

The Medline database of the National Library of Medicine was used to conduct a comprehensive literature search of population-based studies of HZ incidence published between 1960 and 2010 carried out in the 27 member countries of the European Union, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. The identified articles were reviewed and scored according to

SUBMITTER: Pinchinat S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3637114 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature