Varicella zoster infections in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
During the period July 1986 through December 1991, 67 children were treated for non-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia at The Juliane Marie Centre, GGK, The University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen. Twenty-five children were susceptible to varicella zoster (VZ) virus at diagnosis. For these patients the cumulated risk of VZ exposure was 90% after 32 months. Five patients developed varicella (two of whom had pneumonitis) during the period of antileukemic treatment. Two of these had received prophylactic treatment with acyclovir. The 2 year cumulated risk of having chickenpox or herpes zoster in children with previous VZ infection was 24% and 34%, respectively. VZ vaccination ought to be considered for this group of children in order to diminish transmission and morbidity.
Poulsen
A
A
Section of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Juliane Marie Centre, University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Schmiegelow
K
K
Yssing
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015122:Mercaptopurine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011336:Probability; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
D015122:Mercaptopurine; D008727:Methotrexate