Hans Wolfgang Kreth1, Peter Hans Hoeger. 1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Würzburg, Josef Schneider Strasse 2, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is known to facilitate secondary bacterial infection, which is cause for particular concern in children with atopic dermatitis. This 2-year study assessed the safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity of a live attenuated Oka strain varicella vaccine (Varilrix, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals) in 160 children aged 1-9 years with atopic dermatitis randomized to vaccination at the start of either the 1st or 2nd study year (VAR-1Y and VAR-2Y, respectively). Mean SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) scores at baseline were 19.3+/-11.1 and 26.0+/-10.4 in the two groups, respectively. RESULTS: Varicella vaccination did not adversely affect the severity of atopic dermatitis, with analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirming equivalence for the change in SCORAD index from baseline to week 8 between vaccinated and unvaccinated subjects. Within-group comparison of post-vaccination changes in SCORAD index from baseline to week 8 and month 12 in the VAR-2Y group showed a greater reduction in mean SCORAD scores following vaccination in year 2 than in year 1 when subjects were unvaccinated. Overall, SCORAD indices fell by approximately 10 points in both study groups over the 2 years of follow-up. Varicella vaccination was well tolerated, with no children withdrawn due to adverse events. Injection site redness was the most frequent solicited adverse event, occurring in 17.1% of subjects. Seroconversion rates were 94.3% at week 8 and 88.9% at month 12. In all, 43.6% of vaccinees reported at least one varicella contact during the course of the study. However, none developed varicella infection after vaccination over the 2 years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: In summary, vaccination with a live attenuated varicella vaccine appears safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis.
INTRODUCTION: Infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is known to facilitate secondary bacterial infection, which is cause for particular concern in children with atopic dermatitis. This 2-year study assessed the safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity of a live attenuated Oka strain varicella vaccine (Varilrix, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals) in 160 children aged 1-9 years with atopic dermatitis randomized to vaccination at the start of either the 1st or 2nd study year (VAR-1Y and VAR-2Y, respectively). Mean SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) scores at baseline were 19.3+/-11.1 and 26.0+/-10.4 in the two groups, respectively. RESULTS: Varicella vaccination did not adversely affect the severity of atopic dermatitis, with analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirming equivalence for the change in SCORAD index from baseline to week 8 between vaccinated and unvaccinated subjects. Within-group comparison of post-vaccination changes in SCORAD index from baseline to week 8 and month 12 in the VAR-2Y group showed a greater reduction in mean SCORAD scores following vaccination in year 2 than in year 1 when subjects were unvaccinated. Overall, SCORAD indices fell by approximately 10 points in both study groups over the 2 years of follow-up. Varicella vaccination was well tolerated, with no children withdrawn due to adverse events. Injection site redness was the most frequent solicited adverse event, occurring in 17.1% of subjects. Seroconversion rates were 94.3% at week 8 and 88.9% at month 12. In all, 43.6% of vaccinees reported at least one varicella contact during the course of the study. However, none developed varicella infection after vaccination over the 2 years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: In summary, vaccination with a live attenuated varicella vaccine appears safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis.
Authors: T Fujimura; R Yamanashi; M Masuzawa; Y Fujita; K Katsuoka; S Nishiyama; M Mitsuyama; K Nomoto Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 1997-08 Impact factor: 10.793
Authors: Lynda Schneider; Adriana Weinberg; Mark Boguniewicz; Patricia Taylor; Hans Oettgen; Lisa Heughan; Daniel Zaccaro; Brian Armstrong; Aaron Holliday; Donald Y M Leung Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 2010-12 Impact factor: 10.793