Varicella-Zoster Virus Prevalence among Pregnant Women: A European Epidemiological Review

Abstract

Europe has faced a massive spread of the varicella-zoster virus through the years. Since the introduction of an effective vaccine, complications and severe forms of chickenpox have been restricted. Nevertheless, among the population, some categories need specific care, such as pregnant women, who present one of the most fragile conditions facing this infection, both for the mother and the fetus. In this review, we highlight how the varicella-zoster virus can be dangerous during pregnancy, underlining the problem of treatment and vaccination, and collect information about the European epidemiology among this particular category of women.

Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr Virus, Herpes Simplex Virus, and Varicella Zoster Virus Infection Dynamics in People with Multiple Sclerosis from Northern Italy

“…It has also been shown [46,47] that CMV infection influences the host immune response to EBV. Both beta and gamma human herpesviruses possess extensive immunomodulatory capacities and co-infection can manifest both agonistic and antagonistic interactions with the host immune system [48] The Italian population studied showed a high seroprevalence (>95%) of VZV IgG in all the groups studied, which is in accordance with high VZV IgG seroprevalences reported for adults from several Western European countries [49,50]. In our study, VZV IgG levels in female adults significantly decreased with age, and a general decline in VZV IgG levels in Italian adults has been noted in other studies [51].…”

Оперізувальний Герпес У Дитини 7,5 Місяців

“…До 5 % дорослого населення, у тому числі жінки фертильного віку, залишаються сприйнятливими до VZV-інфекції [4]. У 5-16 % вагітних антитіл до вірусу вітряної віспи немає [5].…”

“…Найменший ризик для плода визначається терміном між 20 і 35 тижнями. У разі захворювання мами після 20-го тижня вагітності у дитини немає ознак вітряної віспи, але на ранньому етапі життя у неї може розвинутися оперізувальний герпес [4,7].…”

Pulmonary Involvement during Varicella in a Patient with Sickle Cell Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment

“…However, in adults, pregnant women and immunocompromised, the infection can lead to many complications. Pulmonary involvement during chickenpox is one of the most serious complications, its frequency is increasing in recent years, with an estimated incidence in Europe and the United States of 5% and 50% respectively, and its mortality rate of up to 20% [5,6,7,8]. However, the epidemiology of varicella and its complications is still poorly described in low-income countries.…”