Transmission of varicella-zoster virus from a vaccinee with leukemia, demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract

A 5-year-old white boy in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukemia who was receiving maintenance anticancer chemotherapy had approximately 200 vesicular skin lesions 1 month after receiving live attenuated varicella vaccine. About 2 to 3 weeks later, a mild illness resembling varicella occurred in his susceptible siblings and in three of his classmates. Vaccine-type varicella-zoster virus was demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction in swab specimens from vesicular lesions in his two siblings, in whom antibody to varicella-zoster virus also developed.

• Authors: P Hughes, P LaRussa, J M Pearce, M Lepow, S Steinberg, A Gershon
• Journal: The Journal of pediatrics (J Pediatr) Vol. 124 Issue 6 Pg. 932-5 (Jun 1994) ISSN: 0022-3476 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8201480 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Chickenpox Vaccine
• Vaccines, Attenuated
• Viral Vaccines

Topics

• Chickenpox (complications, etiology, transmission)
• Chickenpox Vaccine
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Herpesvirus 3, Human (immunology, isolation & purification)
• Humans
• Male
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma (complications, immunology)
• Vaccines, Attenuated (adverse effects)
• Viral Vaccines (adverse effects)