No causal link between herpes zoster and ischemic stroke: evidence from Mendelian randomization study.

Objective: The association between herpes zoster (HZ) and stroke has been the subject of much previous research. Nevertheless, the connection remains ambiguous. A two-sample Mendelian randomisation study was conducted to explore the potential causal link between HZ and ischaemic stroke, including its subtypes.

Methods: For our MR analysis, we identified genetic instrumental variables related to both HZ and stroke by screening two prominent publicly accessible genome-wide association study databases. The primary approach involved using the inverse variance weighting method. To supplement this, we also employed methods such as MR-Egger regression, the weighted median approach, simple and weighted models. Lastly, to ascertain the stability and reliability of the results, we conducted tests for heterogeneity detection, horizontal pleiotropy assessment, and a leave-one-out analysis.

Results: The genetically predicted HZ did not indicate an association with stroke risk ([OR] 1.041; 95% [CI] 0.958-1.131;p = 0.336). This lack of association also held true for different subtypes of stroke: ischaemic stroke (OR = 1.047, 95% CI = 0.955-1.148, p = 0.323), large vessel stroke (OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.90-1.41, p = 0.272), cardioembolic stroke (OR = 1.020, 95% CI = 0.859-1.211, p = 0.816), small vessel stroke (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 0.93-1.40, p = 0.195), and lacunar stroke (OR = 1.195, 95% CI = 0.967-1.476, p = 0.097).

Conclusion: This MR study showed that not uncover a causal link between herpes zoster and ischaemic stroke. Additional research will be necessary in the future to shed light on the fundamental mechanisms involved.