OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of and risk factors for severe chickenpox in Guinea- Bissau. METHODS: A prospective household study in a semiurban area of the capital. Severity was assessed by number of pox, fever response and presence of pneumonia. Severity was compared for the first case in a house, that is, the index case, and the secondary cases infected at home. RESULT: We identified 1539 cases of chickenpox. The median age was lower for boys and secondary cases (both P < 0.03); 44.6% of children were 1-4 years of age. The likely minimum interval between index and secondary cases was 10 days; most secondary cases occurred 14-17 days after the index case. The length of the incubation period was related to the intensity of exposure (P < 0.01). The number of pox was higher for secondary cases (P < 0.01) and was related to intensity of exposure (P < 0.01). Secondary cases had higher fever and more frequently pneumonia (relative risk, 2.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.54-3.08). Children with pneumonia were younger and had more pox. Nutritional status was not related to severity. CONCLUSIONS: Age and intensity of exposure are important determinants for severity of chickenpox infection. The length of the incubation period depends on intensity of exposure, suggesting that the dose of infection might be important.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of and risk factors for severe chickenpox in Guinea- Bissau. METHODS: A prospective household study in a semiurban area of the capital. Severity was assessed by number of pox, fever response and presence of pneumonia. Severity was compared for the first case in a house, that is, the index case, and the secondary cases infected at home. RESULT: We identified 1539 cases of chickenpox. The median age was lower for boys and secondary cases (both P < 0.03); 44.6% of children were 1-4 years of age. The likely minimum interval between index and secondary cases was 10 days; most secondary cases occurred 14-17 days after the index case. The length of the incubation period was related to the intensity of exposure (P < 0.01). The number of pox was higher for secondary cases (P < 0.01) and was related to intensity of exposure (P < 0.01). Secondary cases had higher fever and more frequently pneumonia (relative risk, 2.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.54-3.08). Children with pneumonia were younger and had more pox. Nutritional status was not related to severity. CONCLUSIONS: Age and intensity of exposure are important determinants for severity of chickenpox infection. The length of the incubation period depends on intensity of exposure, suggesting that the dose of infection might be important.
Authors: Reena H Doshi; Vivian H Alfonso; Patrick Mukadi; Nicole A Hoff; Sue Gerber; Ado Bwaka; Stephen G Higgins; Cyrus Sinai; Brian Cowell; Guillaume Ngoie Mwamba; Emile Okitolonda; Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum; Anne W Rimoin Journal: Pediatr Infect Dis J Date: 2018-02 Impact factor: 2.129
Authors: Jessica Leung; Andrea M McCollum; Kay Radford; Christine Hughes; Adriana S Lopez; Sarah Anne J Guagliardo; Beatrice Nguete; Toutou Likafi; Joelle Kabamba; Jean Malekani; Robert Shongo Lushima; Elisabeth Pukuta; Stomy Karhemere; Jean Jacques Muyembe Tamfum; Mary G Reynolds; Emile Wemakoy Okitolonda; D Scott Schmid; Mona Marin Journal: Trop Med Int Health Date: 2019-05-22 Impact factor: 2.622
Authors: Richard A Nichols; Karin T Averbeck; Anja G Poulsen; Mahmoud M al Bassam; Fernando Cabral; Peter Aaby; Judith Breuer Journal: Epidemics Date: 2010-12-07 Impact factor: 4.396
Authors: Chung-Ming Chu; Vincent C C Cheng; Ivan F N Hung; Kin-Sang Chan; Bone S F Tang; Thomas H F Tsang; Kwok-Hung Chan; Kwok-Yung Yuen Journal: Emerg Infect Dis Date: 2005-12 Impact factor: 6.883