• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.129-135
• /
• 2000

Purpose : We previously reported the short-term immunogenecity and safety of 47 passaged Oka strain live attenuated varicella vaccine in healthy children in 1997. Now, we conducted this two-year follow-up study to confirm the maintenance of immunity, the occurrence of natural varicella infection and the activation of vaccine induced latent infection on the same vaccine. Methods : 99 children who had been immunized by 47 passaged Oka strain live attenuated varicella vaccine in 1997 were followed up by questionnaire, and 46 children out of study group were followed up serologically. They were asked to report any instance of varicella or herpes zoster since they had been immunized. If there was any evidence of varicella or herpes zoster, they should be clinically or serologically confirmed by doctor. Also, those patients' parents were asked to report any instance of varicella or herpes zoster in their family, playmate, kindergarten, school, or other settings. The immunity to VZV was confirmed by EIA and FAMA test. Results : 6 recipients developed breakthrough varicella after exposure to VZV in family, kindergarten and school during follow-up period. However, clinical features of those patients were very mild and self limited without therapy. And none of the recipients developed herpes zoster during this observation period. The results of EIA test showed that study subjects were all seropositive except one, and the antibody titers and GMT of FAMA test were seropositively maintained in all subjects. Statistically, the antibody titers of EIA and FAMA test confirmed two years after vaccination were higher than those results confirmed one month after vaccination. Conclusion : Our study results suggest that the immunity of 47 passaged Oka strain live attenuated varicella is well maintained until 2 years later after vaccination, and mild natural infection after exposure to VZV can be occurred with low rate. There were not developing zoster in study vaccine after vaccination for two-years.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.52 no.5
• /
• pp.607-610
• /
• 2009

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes two diseases: Varicella, a generalized, primary infection, and herpes zoster (zoster), a secondary infection caused by latent VZV reactivation. Zoster can also be caused by latent VZV reactivation after a varicella vaccination. The complications associated with varicella include cutaneous infections, which are the most common, as well as pulmonary and neurological involvement. However, a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) has been rarely described as a varicella-associated complication. Here, we describe the case of a child with varicella zoster who developed a DVT that completely resolved after intravenous acyclovir and subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.235-243
• /
• 2018

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most troublesome side effect of Herpes Zoster (HZ), which mainly affects the elderly and immunocompromised populations. Despite the current advancement of treatments, PHN persists in many individuals influencing their daily activities and reducing their quality of life. Anticonvulsants, antidepressants, topical therapies including lidocaine and capsaicin, and opioids, are the most widely used therapies for the treatment of PHN. These medications come with their adverse effects, so they should be used carefully with the elderly or with patients with significant comorbidities. Other measures like botulinum toxin, nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation, and radiofrequency have also contributed significantly to the management of PHN. However, the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of these invasive methods need to be carefully monitored when administering them. Early diagnosis and early initiation of treatment can reduce the burden associated with PHN. The zoster vaccine has effectively reduced the incidence of HZ and PHN. In this article, we discuss the treatment options available for the management of PHN, mainly focusing on the efficacy and safety of different therapeutic modalities.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.230-235
• /
• 2002

We experienced a case of herpes zoster in a 9-months aged infant as followings; The patient had no history of chickenpox or varicella vaccination. Also, her mother had no history of varicella infection and no contact history with varicella during pregnancy. The patient had only a history of exposure to chickenpox patient at 7th days after birth, but fortunately chickenpox was not developed. Sequentially, symptoms of cough with fever and tachypnea were developed on admission date(7 days had passed already after development of the initial skin lesion). On physical examination, multiple grouped painless erythematous papulovesicles with small crusts were observed on the right lower back, flank and abdomen along the T11 dermatome. Coarse breathing sound was osculated, and increased linear infiltrations on both parahilar areas were seen on chest radiography. Liver enzymes were slightly elevated. Tzanck test was negative. The initial titers of anti-VZV IgM and IgG on admission were negative, but the following titers of anti-VZV IgM and IgG were positive. The patient received treatment of acyclovir for 7 days, and healed completely without sequelae. We report this case with brief review of related literatures.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.161-167
• /
• 2013

Purpose: This study was performed to describe the clinical manifestations of hospitalized children due to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection Methods: This study included 40 children who were hospitalized for varicella or herpes zoster at Seoul National University Children's Hospital, 2009-2012. Diagnosis of VZV infection was confirmed by VZV PCR or culture from vesicular fluid. Medical records were reviewed to collect clinical features and outcome, antiviral treatment, history of varicella vaccination, and underlying diseases. Results: Sixteen patients with varicella and 24 patients with herpes zoster were included. Their median age was 10.5 years (16 days-19 years). Thirty-five (87.5%) patients had underlying diseases. Among 24 patients with herpes zoster, 11 patients had previous history of varicella and 1 had herpes zoster. Twenty patients (50%) had a history of varicella vaccination, and 19 immunocompromised patients had VZV infection despite of vaccination. Most (95%) patients were treated by intravenous or oral acyclovir, and no treatment failure of intravenous acyclovir was found. The median duration of fever was 4.4 days (1-10 days), and that of antiviral treatment was 12 days (7-23 days) in immunocompromised patients. Immunocompromised patients received longer duration of antiviral treatment than imunocompetent patients (P=0.014). Eleven (27.5 %) immunocompromised patients had postherpetic neuralgia, 2 (5%) had proven co-infection by Streptococcus pyogenes and Klebsiella oxytoca, and 1 (2.5%) complicated with pneumonia. Conclusion: Immunocompromised children require longer duration of treatment and are at risk of severe complication associated with VZV infection. Early initiation of antiviral therapy and close monitoring are necessary for those in immunocompromised conditions.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.298-302
• /
• 1997

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a viral associated disease with severe otalgia, vertigo, fever, herpetic eruptions on either side of the external auditory meatus and cavum concha, ipsilateral facial nerve palsy and cochleovestibular dysfunction. This syndrome may be the most common cause of unilateral facial paralysis and involvement of both the vestibular and cochlear branch of 8th cranial nerve. And loss of taste sensation may be developed in same involement site. This syndrome affects adults in most cases, and a samll number of children with herpes zoster oticus have been reported. And concomittantly CNS invlovement of this snydrome is very rare. We experienced a 7 years old aged patient of Ramsay Hunt syndrome who had evidence of aseptic meningitis, and this patient showed well reponses with Acyclovir and symptomatic therapy. So, we report this case with brief review of related literatures.