Varicella zoster immune status in children treated for acute leukemia.
Children treated for acute leukemia are at increased risk of severe infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV). We studied the VZV sero-status of children with acute leukemia prior to starting chemotherapy and after completion of chemotherapy. VZV sero-status was assessed using time resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TRFIA) before starting treatment and 6 months after completion of treatment. Prior to starting treatment for acute leukemia, a significant proportion of children (35%) are VZV seronegative. On completion of treatment most patients maintained protective VZV antibody levels; however, 35% had reduced/loss VZV antibody to a level considered non-protective and susceptible to VZV infection.
Paediatric Department, Croydon University Hospital, Croydon, UK.
Soonie R
SR
Patel
Jessica
J
Bate
Peter A C
PA
Maple
Kevin
K
Brown
Judith
J
Breuer
Paul T
PT
Heath
D000293:Adolescent; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine / Q000276:immunology; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000276:immunology*; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine; D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine
acute leukemia; children; immunity; varicella zoster virus