Varicella and herpes zoster during pregnancy has been associated with birth defects, neonatal varicella, herpes zoster in newborns and infants. The aim of the present study was to determine the consequences for the neonates, whose mothers were closely exposed to varicella zoster virus (VZV) during pregnancy. Fifty six pregnant women with uncertain histories of prior VZV infection, after a close...

OBJECTIVES We examined overall and incremental effectiveness of 2-dose varicella vaccination in preventing community transmission of varicella among children aged 4 to 18 years in 2 active surveillance sites. One-dose varicella vaccine effectiveness (VE) was examined in those aged 1 to 18 years. METHODS From May 2009 through June 2011, varicella cases identified during active surveillance in ...

BACKGROUND Population studies on trends of varicella and herpes zoster (HZ) associated with varicella zoster vaccination and climate is limited. METHODS This study used insurance claims data to investigate the chronological changes in incident varicella and HZ associated with varicella zoster vaccination. Poisson regression was used to estimate the occurrence of varicella associated with the ...

BACKGROUND The increasing use of varicella vaccine in children attending day care has rapidly decreased the incidence of wild-type varicella disease. The herd immunity noted is significant and will have an effect on the epidemiology of natural varicella. OBJECTIVE To monitor the change in varicella incidence in day-care attendees after the licensure of varicella vaccine. DESIGN A prospectiv...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine whether infection with varicella is causal for arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in children. METHODS First, a prospective cohort study was conducted in young children (aged 6 months to 10 years) with AIS at 2 institutions (cohort study). The presence of varicella infection <12 months before AIS was determined and compared with th...

OBJECTIVE To characterize varicella zoster virus-related deaths and hospitalizations in Brazil before universal vaccination with the tetravalent (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella) vaccine, attempting to collect baseline data on varicella morbidity and mortality in order to evaluate the impact of the varicella vaccination program. METHODS Varicella-associated mortality data were evaluate...

BACKGROUND Two-dose varicella vaccination is recommended for optimal control of varicella in populations with high (>90%) 1-dose coverage. Optimal timing of the second dose may depend on whether breakthrough varicella results from primary vaccine failure (no protective immunity after vaccination) or secondary vaccine failure (waning protective immunity). METHODS Published literature (1995 to ...

Varicella is a common viral disease affecting almost the entire birth cohort. Although usually self-limiting, some cases of varicella can be serious, with 2 to 6% of cases attending a general practice resulting in complications. The hospitalisation rate for varicella in Europe ranges from 1.3 to 4.5 per 100,000 population/year and up to 10.1% of hospitalised patients report permanent or possibl...

We report 2 children with life-threatening breakthrough varicella. Both had received 1 varicella vaccination before onset of cancer. Despite treatment with intravenous acyclovir, 1 child died of disseminated varicella. Because similar fatal cases have been reported, high-risk immunocompromised children with 1 varicella vaccination may warrant the same varicella prophylaxis as immunocompromised ...

abstract background: varicella is a highly contagious and dangerous disease especially in immunocompromised patients. children with cancer are at increased risk of severe illness and may fatal cases occur. vaccination from vzv ( varicella zoster vaccine) infection can be safe, immunogenic, and effective in children with leukemia who meet the criteria and are at the risk of serious disease or de...