Varicella (chickenpox) in pregnancy is unusual because most women of childbearing age are immune. It can, however, cause significant morbidity for the pregnant woman and in rare cases cause congenital varicella syndrome. The incidence of congenital varicella syndrome after maternal varicella during the first two trimesters is <1% across multiple cohort studies. Maternal infection in the third t...

Chicken pox (Varicella) infection is generally present in children and caused by Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV). There are quite a number of case reports of hypercoagulable state leading to deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and other thromboembolic sequelae following varicella induced auto antibodies to natural anticoagulants in children. But such a clinical entity is rarely seen in adults. Here we re...

OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness of the varicella vaccination program in Toscana after one dose of vaccine, in the birth cohorts 2008-2011. DESIGN Varicella vaccine effectiveness (VE) was calculated using the "screening method", based on vaccine coverage (VC) at 24 months and proportion of vaccinated subjects among varicella notified cases (PVC), verified through the Local Health Units' ...

Background. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is highly infectious with potential to cause nosocomial outbreaks and healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk. Universal serological investigation was seldom performed and effectiveness of varicella vaccination was unknown among HCWs. Methods. All employees of Changhua Christian Hospital (CCH), Changhua, Taiwan, were tested for anti-VZV antibodies and sero...

A 7 years old boy presenting with acute flaccid paralysis after Varicella zoster infection was diagnosed as having acute transverse myelitis on MRI. He recovered fully after treatment with intravenous corticosteroids and acyclovir. The occurrence of this condition during or following Varicella infection is uncommon. There are previously very few reported cases of post-Varicella acute transverse...

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection does not always provide lifelong immunity. A reinfection with VZV occurs more commonly than previously thought. Varicella infection spreads through the blood-stream, causing pneumonia. Varicella pneumonia results in bilateral pulmonary nodular infiltrations. We herein report a case of varicella reinfection with unilateral varicella pneumonia in which a red...

OBJECTIVES To determine the rate of self-reported adherence by pediatricians to the 1995 American Academy of Pediatrics and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices varicella immunization recommendations and to evaluate factors that might influence adherence. DESIGN Mail survey. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Washington State pediatricians. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Logistic regression was u...

In 2007, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended a routine second dose of varicella vaccine for children at age 4-6 years, in addition to the first dose given at age 12-15 months. One strategy recommended for increasing varicella vaccination coverage is a school entry requirement of proof of varicella immunity. To determine the extent of implementation of the routine...

The serological relationship between viruses producing varicella-like exanthems in several subhuman primates, varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and herpes simplex viruses (HSV) types 1 and 2, was investigated. All the primate viruses were related to VZV and some to HSV also. These results show that there is a group of varicella viruses, comprising four distinct entities, some of which may be useful ...

Recurrent varicella infection is rare but has been reported in immunocompromised patients. We present a patient with atypical recurrent varicella infection who had disseminated central crusting papular lesions without dermatomal distribution. Serology showed previous varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection and the lesions were positive for VZV DNA, consistent with recurrent VZV infection. Atypic...