title: Varicella-zoster virus-specific cellular immunity in subjects given acyclovir after household chickenpox exposure.
abstract: The time course of primary cell-mediated immune responses to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) among persons receiving acyclovir prophylaxis after exposure to chickenpox has not been well defined. Fifteen children who had household exposure to varicella received prophylactic acyclovir (40 mg/kg/day for 7-14 days after exposure) and were studied for development of both antibody and cell-mediated immunity (CMI) to VZV. Twelve developed antibodies and/or CMI; 10 had no symptoms and 2 manifested mild varicella. Two were already immune to varicella and had booster immune responses. One was not infected and subsequently developed full-blown varicella. Although acyclovir given after exposure to VZV is highly effective and does not appear to attenuate the immune response, it remains necessary to confirm whether, in the absence of clinical varicella, persons acquire specific immunity.
authors.affiliation: Kumagai Pediatric Clinic, W-6, Momijidai, Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 004-0013, Japan. tkuma@mb.infosnow.ne.jp
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kumagai
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamada
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Igarashi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yuri
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Furukawa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chiba
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kojima
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okui
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yano
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine; D000212:Acyclovir