Extract

In 1991, Richard T. Perkin established the Varicella-Zoster Virus Research Foundation (VZVRF), to promote research and knowledge about varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and the illnesses it causes. Because his elderly mother had suffered for years with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the painful aftermath of herpes zoster (shingles), his long-term aim was to eliminate this illness, if possible. Mr. Perkin succeeded in attracting more than 30 internationally renowned VZV researchers to form his Scientific Advisory Board, led by Anne Gershon, Ann Arvin, Stephen Straus, and Richard Whitley. Over the next 10 years, VZVRF hosted 4 highly successful international conferences; convened a 13-nation, European working group on varicella vaccination; and underwrote nearly a dozen postdoctoral research fellowships among other initiatives. Significant progress was made in understanding the pathology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of VZV infections. However, perhaps the crowning achievement of the VZVRF was its role in aiding the development of a research study of a live virus vaccine to prevent herpes zoster and PHN in elderly individuals.

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