Varicella in a Previously Immune Patient With Leukemia

J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2017 Jun 1;6(2):e4-e6. doi: 10.1093/jpids/piw078.

Abstract

Infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in oncology patients can result in severe disease with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality [1, 2]. Among patients on cancer chemotherapy, only nonimmune persons are considered to be susceptible to varicella [1]. We present a case of varicella in a child with leukemia that occurred despite immunity as defined by 2 doses of varicella vaccine and documentation of positive VZV immunoglobulin G titer before initiation of chemotherapy.

Keywords: immunocompromised; immunoprophylaxis; leukemia; varicella..

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acyclovir / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Chickenpox / drug therapy
  • Chickenpox / etiology*
  • Chickenpox Vaccine / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Herpesvirus 3, Human / immunology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / complications*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Chickenpox Vaccine
  • Acyclovir