OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of varicella reinfections reported to a surveillance project. METHODS: We investigated varicella cases reported to a surveillance project between January 1, 1995, and December 31, 1999--with more extensive investigation of cases reporting previous varicella with onset between January 1, 1998, and September 30, 1998--to provide a more detailed description of first and second varicella infections. A simple decision tree was used to assess the likelihood that reported first and second infections were varicella. RESULTS: Among varicella cases reported to the surveillance project, 4.5% of cases in 1995 and 13.3% of cases in 1999 reported previous varicella. More than 95% of first infections were physician diagnosed, epidemiologically linked to another case, or had a rash description consistent with varicella; the same was true for reported second infections. People who reported reinfections were generally healthy. There was a family history of repeat infections in 45% of people who reported reinfections. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical varicella reinfections may occur more commonly than previously thought. Additional studies of the predictive value of a positive varicella history and laboratory studies of reported reinfections are indicated to guide varicella vaccination policy.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of varicella reinfections reported to a surveillance project. METHODS: We investigated varicella cases reported to a surveillance project between January 1, 1995, and December 31, 1999--with more extensive investigation of cases reporting previous varicella with onset between January 1, 1998, and September 30, 1998--to provide a more detailed description of first and second varicella infections. A simple decision tree was used to assess the likelihood that reported first and second infections were varicella. RESULTS: Among varicella cases reported to the surveillance project, 4.5% of cases in 1995 and 13.3% of cases in 1999 reported previous varicella. More than 95% of first infections were physician diagnosed, epidemiologically linked to another case, or had a rash description consistent with varicella; the same was true for reported second infections. People who reported reinfections were generally healthy. There was a family history of repeat infections in 45% of people who reported reinfections. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical varicella reinfections may occur more commonly than previously thought. Additional studies of the predictive value of a positive varicella history and laboratory studies of reported reinfections are indicated to guide varicella vaccination policy.
Authors: Peter Norberg; Jan-Ake Liljeqvist; Tomas Bergström; Scott Sammons; D Scott Schmid; Vladimir N Loparev Journal: J Virol Date: 2006-10 Impact factor: 5.103
Authors: Ronald F Lamont; Jack D Sobel; D Carrington; Shali Mazaki-Tovi; Juan Pedro Kusanovic; Edi Vaisbuch; Roberto Romero Journal: BJOG Date: 2011-05-18 Impact factor: 6.531