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VZV in the Enteric Nervous System: Pathogenesis and Consequences

NCT05550194 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: PHASE4 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 40

Last updated 2025-05-16

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is the cause of chickenpox and shingles, but it also infects, becomes latent, and reactivates in nerve cells of the bowel to cause a gastrointestinal disorder ("enteric shingles"). The Investigators recently found that a chronic active VZV infection, a form of enteric shingles, is associated with achalasia, a severe disease in which the passage of food from esophagus to stomach is impaired. We now propose to eradicate VZV to determine whether its association with achalasia is causal, to identify the genetic basis behind VZV reactivation in the esophagus, and the relationship of mast cells to enteric shingles and abdominal pain.

Conditions

  • Achalasia

Interventions

DRUG

ValACYclovir 1000 MG

Valacyclcovir is a targeted anti-viral for varicella zoster virus (VZV).

BIOLOGICAL

Shingrix

Vaccine indicated for prevention of herpes zoster

Sponsors & Collaborators

Principal Investigators

  • Michael Vaezi, MD · Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
75 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2023-03-27
Primary Completion
2026-08-31
Completion
2026-08-31
FDA Drug
Yes

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Entities

Companies

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT05550194 on ClinicalTrials.gov