Understanding Shingles Virus in the Gut and Its Effects
VZV in the enteric nervous system: pathogenesis and consequences
This project explores how the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles can affect nerves in your digestive system, potentially leading to conditions like abdominal pain or achalasia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126046 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We know the varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes chickenpox and shingles on the skin, but it can also hide in nerves throughout your body, including those in your gut. When VZV reactivates in these gut nerves, it can cause "enteric zoster," leading to symptoms like abdominal pain, even without a skin rash. Our team is working to understand how VZV infects these gut nerves and what health problems it might cause. We're also developing a simple saliva test to help identify when VZV is active in the body, which could help diagnose gut issues related to the virus. We've already found evidence of VZV in gut tissue from patients experiencing unexplained abdominal pain and in those with achalasia, a swallowing disorder.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients experiencing unexplained abdominal pain, swallowing difficulties like achalasia, or other digestive issues that might be related to a past chickenpox or shingles infection could potentially benefit from this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose digestive symptoms are clearly not related to the varicella zoster virus would likely not receive direct benefit from this specific line of inquiry.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better ways to diagnose and treat unexplained abdominal pain and conditions like achalasia that might be linked to the shingles virus.
How similar studies have performed: While the link between VZV and skin conditions is well-established, its role as a cause of specific gut disorders like achalasia is a newer area of investigation, with initial findings suggesting a strong association.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gershon, Anne a. — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Gershon, Anne a.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.