[Diaplacental transmission of varicella zoster virus antibodies after chickenpox at the time of birth].
A pregnant woman with post-term birth developed a varicella rash on the day, when birth was to be initiated. The date was then postponed, until varicella zoster virus (VZV) IgG-antibodies could be proved in the mother, so as to allow the child to achieve an adequate diaplacental passive immunisation. Cesarean section was performed on the 7th day after the rash, but a comparison of the child's blood (from the umbilical cord) with the mother's blood showed, that the VZV antibodies developed by the mother during this time were only present in a tenfold reduced amount in the child. Antibodies to herpes simplex virus, already present in the mother's blood before the VZV infection, also increased because of the close relationship of the virus to VZV. Similar to the VZV antibodies, these antibodies did not increase in the baby as in the mother. Our results show that maternal antibodies are not transferred rapidly to the baby, and therefore it seems reasonable, that in the case of chickenpox at the time of delivery, the birth should be delayed, not only until seroconversion in the mother's blood, but - if possible - a few days longer.
Zentrum für Hygiene und Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Universität Bonn.
A M
AM
Eis-Hübinger
A
A
Quade
G
G
Lutzke
K E
KE
Schneweis
M
M
Niesen
K
K
Diedrich
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired / Q000276:immunology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000276:immunology*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011273:Pregnancy, Prolonged / Q000276:immunology; D012086:Reoperation
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M