Varicella-zoster virus immunity in dermatological patients on systemic immunosuppressant treatment

Abstract

The prevalence of VZV IgG antibodies in our cohort of Irish dermatology patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy is 98·7%. A recalled history of varicella infection is a good predictor of serological immunity. This study has shown that there are VZV-susceptible individuals within our cohort. These patients did not have a clear history of previous infection. We recommend serological testing of patients without a clear history of infection prior to the commencement of immunosuppressive therapy and vaccination of patients with negative serology.

Varicella presenting as atypical vesicular lesions and fulminant hepatitis in an adolescent with leukemia

“…VZIG, however, cannot completely prevent the people exposed to VZV from developing varicella as in our case, and it might prolong the incubation period of the virus by one week. Therefore, clinicians should carefully monitor whether the people who receive VZIG may develop varicella for at least four weeks 8,9 …”

Alemtuzumab: eine weitere Chance zur Therapie der Multiplen Sklerose

“…anzupassen. Hämatologisch-onkologische Erfahrungen deuten darauf hin, dass durch Impfungen Infekte bei immunsupprimierten Patienten verhindert werden können [80][81][82][83][84][85][86]. Hier ist u. a. an Influenza, Hepatitis B, Varizella-Zoster-Virus, Pneumokokkenmeningitis, DPT (Diphterie, Pertussis, Tetanus) zu denken.…”

Varicella zoster encephalitis in an immunocompromised patient presented with migraine type headache: A case report

“…Encephalitis is an uncommon complication of varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection in immunocompetent population. However, immunocompromised patients, individuals with autoimmune diseases and patients on immunosuppression have increased vulnerability to VZV dissemination, thus increasing morbidity and mortality [1,2].…”

“…Frequently, the patient's clinical symptoms are initially attributed to other etiologies and the therapeutic window of opportunity is lost before the definitive diagnosis can be established. At our medical center, we treated a patient with suspicion of encephalitis based on clinical features and CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) findings supported the diagnosis of VZV which led to timely intervention [2].…”