Two national surveys were conducted to evaluate the status of varicella case-based surveillance and outbreak response. Although progress toward national surveillance has been significant, a large number of jurisdictions are still without case-based surveillance. For jurisdictions beginning case-based surveillance with limited resources, a staged approach is recommended. The national outbreak su...

OBJECTIVE To determine if reductions in medically-attended pediatric varicella and herpes zoster occurred in Ontario, Canada, after publicly-funded varicella immunization was implemented in 2004. METHODS For fiscal years (FY) 1992-2011, we examined data on varicella and herpes zoster physician office visits, emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations (including for varicella-associate...

OBJECTIVES The aim of the research is to investigate the historical relationship between varicella and Streptococcus pyogenes infections. In the past few decades, varicella has been identified as a risk factor for invasive group A streptococcus infections. The question is whether this relationship also existed between varicella and scarlet fever in the historical era. METHODS The analysis beg...

BACKGROUND We recently reported a more rapid waning of vaccine-induced humoral immunity (measles vaccine) in children with asthma. It is unknown if asthma affects susceptibility to vaccine-preventable diseases. OBJECTIVE To determine whether asthma is associated with an increased risk of vaccine-preventable disease, e.g., breakthrough varicella infection. METHODS This was a retrospective po...

BACKGROUND Whether exogenous exposure to varicella-zoster-virus protects individuals with latent varicella-zoster virus infection against herpes zoster by boosting immunity is not known. To test the hypothesis that contacts with children increase exposure to varicella-zoster virus and protect latently infected adults against zoster, we did a case-control study in south London, UK. METHODS Fro...

INTRODUCTION In contrast to varicella zoster virus (VZV) primary infection, VZV vaccination does not seem to provide lifelong immunity against varicella. Because more people get vaccinated every year, the development of sensitive serological test systems for the detection of protective anti-VZV IgG will become important in the future. METHODS We have previously developed a novel VZV line assa...

INTRODUCTION Experience with one-dose varicella vaccination of children in the USA has shown that with high immunization coverage a marked decline in morbidity and mortality occurs. However, about one quarter of the vaccinees may develop breakthrough varicella. Although breakthrough infections are usually mild, the patients are potentially contagious. METHODS Selective literature search, revi...

We describe a patient with end stage renal failure (ESRF) on hemodialysis who was admitted to our department for primary varicella infection complicated by varicella pneumonia and encephalitis. Varicella infections results in serious morbidity and mortality in ESRF dialysis and transplant patients. Evidence published thus far suggests that live attenuated varicella vaccines are effective and sa...

In immunocompetent children in Europe and the United States, varicella is usually a benign disease. However, infants born to women who acquire varicella during or shortly after pregnancy are at high risk of infection. For unknown reasons, the disease is more severe in adolescents and adults, with pneumonia the most common cause of death. Varicella may also be lethal in patients of any age in th...

OBJECTIVES To assess the diagnostic value of prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in addition to prenatal ultrasound in a case of fetal varicella syndrome. METHODS Comparison of prenatal ultrasound and MRI features obtained at 26 and 32 weeks, respectively, with neonatal imaging (ultrasound, MRI and CT) and macroscopic and microscopic pathology findings in a fatal case of varicella embry...