Drug Database
VA

varicella zoster immunoglobulin (VariQuin)

✓ Approved

Prothya Biosolutions · Polyclonal Antibodies · Polyclonal Antibodies

What is varicella zoster immunoglobulin?

varicella zoster immunoglobulin is a polyclonal antibodies developed by Prothya Biosolutions. It is approved for therapeutic indications via injectable (others) or intramuscular (im) injection.

Drug Profile

Brand NamesVariQuin
CompanyProthya Biosolutions
Drug ClassPolyclonal Antibodies, Cell-based Therapies, Antibody
RouteInjectable (Others), Intramuscular (IM) Injection
StatusApproved

Therapeutic Indications

varicella zoster immunoglobulin is developed for 1 unique indication across 1 therapeutic area.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Infections and infestationsVaricella zoster virus infection✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedJournal of endodontics2026-07-17

Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus Following Endodontic Treatment: A Case Report.

Altundaşar Emre E, Derinler Nevran N, Pierovi Nilsu N

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus, resulting from varicella-zoster virus reactivation along the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve, is a rare but potentially sight-threatening condition that warrants awareness in clinical dental practice. A 36-year-old male presented three days after nonsurgical root canal treatment of the right maxillary first molar with severe migraine-like neuropathic pain, unilateral vesiculobullous eruptions along the V1 dermatome, periorbital edema, and conjunctival hyperemia. The treated tooth exhibited no remarkable clinical or radiographic findings. Dermatological evaluation confirmed herpes zoster ophthalmicus, and systemic antiviral therapy resulted in complete resolution by the six-month follow-up. This case underscores the need to broaden the differential diagnosis when post-endodontic symptoms are disproportionate to or inconsistent with clinical findings. Early recognition and prompt referral are critical in preventing vision-threatening complications.

PubMedCureus2026-07-17

Incidence and Clinical Characteristics of Herpes Zoster in Patients With Spondyloarthritis Receiving Biologic Therapy: A 36-Month Multicenter Registry-Based Study.

Ben Marzouk Ilham I, Rostom Samira S, El Binoune Imane I, Ghoullam Ghizlane G et al.

Herpes zoster, caused by the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus, has been reported in patients with autoimmune inflammatory diseases receiving biologic therapies. However, data regarding its occurrence in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) remain limited. This study aimed to determine the incidence of herpes zoster and describe the clinical characteristics of affected patients with SpA receiving biologic therapy. A multicenter retrospective registry-based study was conducted over a 36-month period, including patients with SpA receiving biologic therapy and registered in the Moroccan Society of Rheumatology Biotherapy Registry (BRMSR). Clinical, laboratory data, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, and therapeutic data were collected at baseline, at 36 months, and at the time of herpes zoster infection. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed. A total of 194 patients with SpA were included, with a mean age of 40.23 ± 13.68 years. The cohort included 123 males (63.4%) and 71 females (36.6%), with a mean disease duration of 11 ± 7 years. Most patients (98.5%) were treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor agents, with etanercept being the most commonly prescribed biologic therapy. The incidence of herpes zoster was 6.87 cases per 1,000 person-years (95% CI: 2.018-16.85). Four cases of herpes zoster were identified. These patients were all older than 55 years, had associated comorbidities, and had prolonged exposure to biologic therapy. The incidence of herpes zoster in patients with SpA receiving biologic therapy was low. The four reported cases shared common clinical characteristics, including older age, the presence of comorbidities, and prolonged exposure to biologic therapy. Further studies with larger populations and longer follow-up are needed to better characterize herpes zoster occurrence in this population.

PubMedThe Journal of general virology2026-07-17

Human pegivirus, Toscana virus and herpesviruses identified in cerebrospinal fluid from adults with unexplained neurologic disease, Spain, 2022-2023.

Donoso Ana A, Pérez Ana Belén AB, Lopez-Dosil Marcos M, Vázquez Ana A et al.

Viral central nervous system (CNS) infections in adults frequently remain unresolved after routine diagnostic testing. We applied probe-based viral metagenomic next-generation sequencing (vmNGS) to cerebrospinal fluid samples from adults with suspected CNS infection and negative conventional diagnostics in a retrospective multicentre study conducted in Spain between 2022 and 2023. Among 40 idiopathic cases, vmNGS detected viral sequences in 6 patients without evidence of coinfection: human pegivirus (HPgV, n=3), Toscana virus (TOSV, n=1), herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1, n=1) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV, n=1). Two HPgV-positive patients were transplant recipients, with neurological disease occurring more than 2 years after transplantation, compatible with possible long-term viral persistence in immunocompromised hosts. TOSV genotype B was identified in a patient residing in central Spain, supporting consideration of TOSV in selected cases of unexplained aseptic meningitis during the vector season, including outside traditionally recognized Mediterranean coastal regions. Furthermore, the failure of syndromic panel testing to detect HSV-1 and VZV highlights the need for complementary diagnostic strategies when clinical suspicion remains high. Overall, the detection of unexpected viral sequences, together with missed clinically actionable infections, supports the use of complementary molecular testing in selected cases of unexplained CNS syndromes when routine diagnostics are negative. These findings highlight the added diagnostic value of vmNGS and provide sequence-level data for future studies of viral diversity and molecular epidemiology in neurological disease.

PubMedValue in health regional issues2026-07-17

Validation of a Herpes Zoster Conceptual Model on Quality of Life in East Asia.

Ng Cheryl C, Ma Ke K, Lam Wilson W, Song Joon Young JY et al.

This cross-sectional concept elicitation study aimed to evaluate herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients aged ≥50 years in East Asia, in relation to local cultural/contextual factors, and qualitatively validate a published Canadian conceptual model. One-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted among HZ/PHN patients aged ≥50 years in selected East Asia locales (Hong Kong/Mainland China/South Korea/Taiwan) in September 2022 to February 2023. Convenience sampling and snowballing were used for recruitment. 104 patients were interviewed (52 HZ/52 PHN; each: Hong Kong [n = 4]/Mainland China [n = 36]/South Korea [n = 6]/Taiwan [n = 6]). All patients described physical and emotional effects of HZ. The most common symptoms were pain (100%) and rash (86%). The main reason for seeking diagnosis was rash (72%). Pain was the most bothersome symptom (89%); 83% of patients reported their worst pain level as ≥8 (scale 0-10 [most painful]). The most affected HRQoL domains were sleep (100%), emotional functioning (90%), and activities of daily living (89%). Concept saturation was reached. Unmet needs throughout the patient journey included low patient awareness of HZ, poor physician-patient communication on vaccination (eg, benefits and risks), and lack of community support. Patients with comorbidities, including end-stage renal disease, reported additional burden due to HZ. Sixty-nine percent of patients reported HZ vaccination willingness. Understanding the patient experience helps to meet healthcare needs (eg, informing healthcare decision making to prevent HZ). The East Asian HZ conceptual model was consistent with the Canadian model, validating it to the East Asia context.

PubMedModern rheumatology case reports2026-07-17

Persistent parvovirus B19 infection in an older patient with rheumatoid arthritis receiving immunosuppressive therapy: A case report and literature review.

Oyama Masako M, Yoshida Yusuke Y, Yoshida Tetsumi T, Kobayashi Hiroki H et al.

An 84-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing treatment with methotrexate presented with fever, general fatigue, and appetite loss. He had a 3-month history of unexplained normocytic anaemia with reticulocytopenia. Bone marrow examination revealed erythroid hypoplasia with giant pro-erythroblasts, leading to a diagnosis of parvovirus B19 infection. In this case, intravenous immunoglobulin therapy improved the patient's anaemia and systemic symptoms. Six months after the treatment, parvovirus B19 DNA remained detectable using polymerase chain reaction; however, the viral load had markedly decreased, indicating a favourable virological response. Twenty cases of parvovirus B19 infection in older adults (aged ≥65 years) were identified in the literature. Immunocompromised older patients frequently develop persistent parvovirus B19 infections that require treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, whereas persistent infections are not observed in immunocompetent older individuals. Therefore, this case suggests that clinicians should be aware of persistent parvovirus B19 infection in older immunosuppressed patients who develop unexplained anaemia with reticulocytopenia. Moreover, intravenous immunoglobulin therapy may be considered as an effective therapeutic option for persistent parvovirus B19 infection in immunocompromised patients.

PubMedCureus2026-07-17

Generalized Tetanus in an Unvaccinated 52-Year-Old Male Gardener: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges in a Low-Resource Setting.

Qadri Imman I, AlKhawaja Raneem E RE, Mathew Rahul S RS, Khan Israr A IA et al.

Tetanus remains a life-threatening but preventable disease, which continues to manifest in adults lacking sufficient tetanus vaccination and accessibility to tetanus immunoglobulin (TIG). The case discussed is of an unvaccinated 52-year-old Pakistani male patient who developed progressive trismus, difficulty in swallowing, and general spasms following a minor foot wound. The early symptomatology was attributed to psychological stress or heat exhaustion; thus, there was an initial delay in diagnosis. His clinical course was further complicated by the unavailability of TIG, severe autonomic dysfunction, and respiratory compromise requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation and intensive care support. This case is consistent with global patterns, in which unvaccinated adult males with neglected wounds are disproportionately affected, while delayed diagnosis and limited access to immunoglobulin contribute to poorer outcomes. Although intensive care management may help control complications, prolonged recovery with persistent functional impairment is common in the absence of definitive toxin neutralization. This case underscores the need for strengthened tetanus booster vaccination programs, increased clinical awareness of atypical presentations, and resource-sensitive healthcare policies to ensure timely availability of TIG in emergency settings.

+9996 more articles available with a free account

Sign up free to view all articles →

Ask about varicella zoster immunoglobulin