Chickenpox

A highly contagious infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (HERPESVIRUS 3, HUMAN). It usually affects children, is spread by direct contact or respiratory route via droplet nuclei, and is characterized by the appearance on the skin and mucous membranes of successive crops of typical pruritic vesicular lesions that are easily broken and become scabbed. Chickenpox is relatively benign in children, but may be complicated by pneumonia and encephalitis in adults. (From Dorland, 27th ed)

Also Known As:

Networked: 4203 relevant articles (248 outcomes, 431 trials/studies)

Relationship Network

Disease Context: Research Results

Related Diseases

1.	Herpes Zoster
2.	Infections
3.	Chickenpox
4.	Pneumonia (Pneumonitis)
5.	Measles

Experts

1.	Gershon, Anne A: 35 articles (01/2021 - 02/2004)
2.	Seward, Jane F: 32 articles (03/2016 - 02/2002)
3.	Schmid, D Scott: 30 articles (01/2022 - 07/2003)
4.	Breuer, Judith: 25 articles (10/2020 - 08/2004)
5.	Marin, Mona: 23 articles (01/2020 - 04/2005)
6.	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 23 articles (07/2014 - 08/2001)
7.	Mahalingam, Ravi: 22 articles (01/2022 - 01/2002)
8.	Grose, Charles: 17 articles (01/2021 - 07/2002)
9.	Traina-Dorge, Vicki: 15 articles (01/2022 - 06/2002)
10.	Leung, Jessica: 15 articles (05/2019 - 03/2008)

Drugs and Biologics

Drugs and Important Biological Agents (IBA) related to Chickenpox:

1.	VaccinesIBA 10/01/2022 - "Although varicella vaccination is highly effective, no head-to-head randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have compared the efficacy of different vaccine formulations. " 08/01/2010 - "The varicella vaccines in China are highly effective in preventing clinical varicella. " 11/01/2005 - "Experience with universal varicella vaccination of children in the USA over the last 10 years has shown that the vaccine is safe and highly effective in reducing varicella-related disease. " 08/01/1996 - "This reformulated vaccine was well tolerated, highly immunogenic and provided protection against varicella. " 05/01/2005 - "The varicella Oka/Merck vaccine has been shown to be very effective in clinical practice; however, several recent studies reported reduced effectiveness. "
2.	Chickenpox Vaccine (Vaccine, Varicella)IBA 03/01/2008 - "When administered after exposure, varicella vaccine was highly effective in preventing or modifying varicella. " 12/02/2004 - "The varicella vaccine Varilrix may not be effective in preventing varicella when administered after household exposure, although it is highly effective in ameliorating the disease in those who acquire it under these circumstances." 01/01/2000 - "When used within 36 hours after exposure to varicella in a setting where close contact occurred, varicella vaccine was highly effective in preventing further disease. " 11/12/1997 - "Varicella vaccine administered under routine conditions in physicians' offices was highly effective in preventing varicella in an outbreak characterized by intense exposure. " 05/01/1995 - "A live, attenuated varicella vaccine developed in 1974 and unlicensed in the United States is safe and highly effective in preventing varicella in healthy and immunocompromised populations. "
3.	Acyclovir (Aciclovir)FDA LinkGeneric 03/01/1998 - "In our study application of acyclovir in that age group provided good results as for prevention and treatment of complications of chickenpox if already manifested." 01/01/2007 - "The patient with chickenpox was treated successfully with acyclovir without complication. " 01/01/1988 - "Intravenous acyclovir is effective for varicella in adults and immunocompromised children, causing more rapid resolution of the illness and fewer complications. " 02/01/1994 - "Overall this formulation of aciclovir appears to be a safe and effective treatment for chickenpox in this patient population. " 10/04/2018 - "Is acyclovir effective for the treatment of varicella in children and adolescents?"
4.	Immunoglobulins (Immunoglobulin)IBA 02/24/1979 - "Comparison between 157 children treated with defibrinated convalescent plasma and 257 children treated with specific immunoglobulins revealed the improved effectiveness of the latter treatment in the prevention of chickenpox. " 11/21/2023 - "The highest proportion of varicella immunoglobulin use (10/20, 50%) was amongst children with diagnoses of rheumatological/gastrointestinal conditions. " 11/21/2023 - "Post-exposure prophylaxis with varicella immunoglobulin is recommended to minimize risk of varicella complications for high-risk children. " 01/01/2020 - "Despite properly and well-timed administration of immunoglobulins, the patient developed chickenpox two weeks after exposure. " 01/01/2017 - "Incorrect information on immunoglobulin as preventive treatment for varicella."
5.	Antiviral Agents (Antivirals)IBA 01/01/2004 - "Two varicella models in primates have proven useful: one that mimics varicella latency in humans, and one that can be used to study the efficacy of antiviral agent in driving varicella virus back to a latent state." 11/12/1997 - "Adult subjects with varicella who enrolled in an antiviral treatment trial were interviewed about a history of varicella. " 01/01/2023 - "After the introduction of the routine immunization program in 2014, we observed level changes in incidence rates (45.6 % reduction [95 %CI, 32.9-56.0] of varicella cases, antiviral use (40.9 % reduction [95 %CI, 25.1-53.3]), and relevant healthcare costs (48.7 % reduction [95 %CI, 38.2-57.3]). " 05/01/2019 - "Antivirals are prescribed to 1 in 4 children with chickenpox under 12 months of age. " 05/01/2019 - "What is Known: • Chickenpox is uncommon and of uncertain evolution in the first year of life • Hospital admissions for chickenpox are more frequent in the first year of life What is New: • The course of chickenpox in the first year of life is mild, especially in infants younger than 7 months despite the fact they are hospitalized more and are treated more frequently with antivirals. "
6.	Intravenous Immunoglobulins (IVIG)FDA Link 09/01/2019 - "This case provides an experimental evidence that adjuvant IVIG can significantly reduce viral load in immunocompromised patients with severe varicella." 10/01/2018 - "We describe a 5-year-old boy who developed gait disorder and garble speech 2 weeks after chicken pox and who was successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin." 02/01/2001 - "None of ten infants receiving both IVIG and ACV contracted varicella. " 02/01/2001 - "Of four infants receiving IVIG alone, two developed clinical varicella. " 10/01/1992 - "None of the five children developed varicella following IVIG infusion. "
7.	varicella vaccine rubella mumps measlesIBA 03/01/2008 - "Giving the second dose 3 months after the first (at approximately 15 months of age) would provide more protection against varicella but would necessitate a change in the childhood vaccination schedule, which currently calls for a second dose of MMRV vaccine between the ages of 4 and 6 years." 01/01/2019 - "Long-term protection against varicella with two-dose combination measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine." 01/01/2018 - "This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a single dose of ProQuad, and the population impact of a vaccination program (VP) against varicella of any severity in children who received a first dose of ProQuad at 14 months of age in the Veneto Region, METHODS: All children born in 2006/2007, i.e., eligible for varicella vaccination after ProQuad was introduced, were retrospectively followed through individual-level data linkage between the Pedianet database (varicella cases) and the Regional Immunization Database (vaccination status). " 01/01/2018 - "These are the first results on the effectiveness and impact of ProQuad against varicella; data confirmed its high effectiveness, based on immunological correlates for protection. " 01/01/2018 - "The direct effectiveness of ProQuad was estimated as the incidence rate of varicella in ProQuad-vaccinated children aged < 6 years compared to children with no varicella vaccination from the same birth cohort. "
8.	varicella-zoster immune globulin (VZIG)IBA 06/01/2011 - "When exposure is known to have occurred, early administration of varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG) is generally protective against severe and complicated varicella. " 01/11/2021 - "These data indicate that VARIZIG may reduce severity of varicella in immunocompromised children and adults. " 01/11/2021 - "There were no varicella- or VARIZIG-related deaths. " 09/17/2020 - "Varicella incidence and morbidity were low in in utero-exposed infants and zero in preterm infants who received prophylactic VARIZIG. " 09/17/2020 - "There were no deaths attributable to varicella or VARIZIG. "
9.	AntibodiesIBA 02/14/2021 - "Furthermore, our study showed that the presence of antibodies after the varicella vaccination remained over time, lasting up to 12 years. " 07/01/2020 - "The goal of this study was to establish the seroprevalence of positive antibodies against varicella and compliance with varicella vaccination in the pre-vaccination era. " 07/05/2019 - "Furthermore, the positive predictive value of self-reported varicella on seroprevalence rate in our study was lower than those reported in other countries, therefore serological testing of VZV antibodies with subsequent vaccination for all non-immune HCWs should be considered." 01/01/2016 - "In this study we retrospectively assessed the overall percentage of individuals with varicella-specific antibodies despite a negative history and we examined the influence of age, number of siblings, order of siblings, age difference to siblings and nationality on varicella seropositivity. " 04/01/2014 - "We conducted this study to assess the seroprevalence of Varicella zoster virus (VZV) antibodies in a group of Iranian medical sciences students that were at risk of Varicella and the value of self-reported history as a predictor of immunity. "
10.	Immunoglobulin G (IgG)IBA 10/01/2021 - "Of all participants, 49.9% were seropositive showing varicella zoster virus (VZV) IgG antibody in the serum, and 29.1% study participants gave positive history of having had varicella in the past. " 05/01/2009 - "Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value were determined by comparing self-reported or parent-reported varicella histories from a standardized study interview with varicella zoster virus immunoglobulin G serological results for each participant. " 06/01/2005 - "The study was a cross-sectional study determining the prevalence of serum IgG against VZV in children who presented to the Healthy Child Outpatient Clinic of the Gazi University Medical Faculty and who were aged between 9 months and 5 years, in the 3rd--97th percentile as regards height and weight, not suffering from any disease, and without a history of vaccination against varicella. " 05/08/2021 - "Varicella IgG levels were screened in all 235 IDC candidates. " 01/01/2021 - "Universal varicella vaccination (UVV) is not yet recommended by the Swiss National Immunization Program, which instead recommends catch-up immunization for children, adolescents and adults 11-40 years of age who have no reliable history of varicella or are varicella-zoster virus-IgG seronegative. "

Therapies and Procedures

1.	Therapeutics 04/01/2011 - "This study aimed to assess the immunogenicity and safety of varicella vaccination among HIV-infected children who had severe immunosuppression before receiving antiretroviral therapy. " 10/01/2023 - "Age, history of varicella, time interval between varicella and HZ, underlying diseases, immunosuppresive therapy, dermatome involvement and HZ complications were analyzed in both groups. " 01/01/2021 - "Patients with severe varicella-related complications need to be referred to a medical specialist where anti-viral therapy should be considered." 05/01/2018 - "The forensic expert must be cautious and consider all clinical records in managing fatal varicella cases, bearing in mind risk factors and pre-existing conditions such as age, geographical provenance and pathological comorbidity, which may lead to a bad prognosis irrespective of therapies. " 01/01/2012 - "To present our expirience with chickenpox therapy in children and adult patients. "
2.	Drug Therapy (Chemotherapy) 01/01/1992 - "The control group comprised 92 ALL and 25 NHL patients receiving chemotherapy in remission who were nonvaccinated and susceptible to varicella. " 08/01/2016 - "Chemotherapy was delayed or omitted due to varicella in 50%. " 02/01/2016 - "Varicella vaccination in pediatric oncology patients without interruption of chemotherapy." 11/09/2009 - "Despite protective isolation and prophylactic treatment, seronegative children with ALL have a high risk of varicella during or shortly after chemotherapy. " 11/09/2009 - "Patient records were reviewed to describe varicella exposures, eruptions and vaccinations during chemotherapy (24-30 months) and the following six months of immune recovery. "
3.	Medical Day Care (Partial Hospitalization) 04/01/2006 - "Descriptive study carried out through inquiries with parents of 664 children who acquired varicella after admission to day care centers in Taubaté (population: 244,165, census of 2004), a prosperous city in the State of São Paulo. " 11/01/1998 - "This study emphasizes the important socioeconomic impact of varicella in the day care setting in France." 11/01/1998 - "Cost of varicella in France: a study in day care centers." 01/01/2018 - "Modeling the impact of changes in day-care contact patterns on the dynamics of varicella transmission in France between 1991 and 2015." 10/17/2013 - "Changes in migration and day care usage will influence the age-specific risk on varicella and should therefore be monitored. "
4.	Injections 02/01/2004 - "The risk of developing varicella >42 days postvaccination during the 10-year observation period was 3.3-fold lower (P < 0.001) in children who received two injections than in those who received one injection (2.2% vs. 7.3%, respectively). " 05/31/1924 - "Rabbits could not be actively immunized against Virus III by injections of whole blood, vesicle fluid, or nasal washings from patients with varicella. " 04/26/1969 - "No significant difference was found between 50 consecutive patients with multiple sclerosis and matched controls in respect of previous infection with rubella or measles and chicken-pox, or of previous vaccination and immunizing injections. " 10/01/2010 - "Different injuries can result in keloids, including burns, surgery, ear piercing, lacerations, abrasions, tattooing, vaccinations, injections, insect bites and any process causing skin inflammation (chicken pox, acne, folliculitis, zoster). " 02/01/2004 - "Administration of either one or two injections of varicella vaccine to healthy children results in long term protection against most varicella disease. "
5.	Chemoprevention 12/01/1986 - "In the case of influenza and varicella immune prophylaxis and chemotherapy/chemoprophylaxis are possible. " 10/01/1997 - "The issues most frequently addressed in a travel clinic include treatment of traveler's diarrhea, malaria chemoprophylaxis, and immunizations, for hepatitis A, typhoid fever, tetanus/diphtheria, influenza, pneumococcus, hepatitis B, polio, meningococcus, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and rabies. " 12/01/2000 - "While oral acyclovir chemoprophylaxis is probably beneficial in populations with chicken pox." 01/01/1992 - "Early, aggressive therapy with acyclovir seems to abort the catastrophic consequences of varicella pneumonia, while oral acyclovir chemoprophylaxis is probably beneficial in high-risk populations with chickenpox." 03/01/1986 - "After a discussion of the principles of antiviral chemotherapy, treatment and chemoprophylaxis of the following virus infections are reviewed in detail: the various manifestations of herpes simplex virus infections, varicella-zoster, cytomegalovirus infections, Epstein-Barr virus infections, laryngeal papillomas, and influenza A. "