Immunisation against varicella in end stage and pre-end stage renal failure. Trans-Pennine Paediatric Nephrology Study Group.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To investigate the seroconversion rate and duration of persistence of protective antibody titres after varicella immunisation in children with renal failure.

DESIGN:

32 children (25 end stage and 7 pre-end stage renal failure) were immunised using 2 x 2,000 plaque forming unit doses of varicella vaccine 3 months apart. Varicella antibody titres were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS:

All children initially seroconverted after immunisation. At a mean follow up of 20.3 months, 23 of 28 had protective antibody titres, 4 children having died of unrelated causes. Two children required a third booster dose. 11 children underwent renal transplantation; 10 had protective titres at the time of transplantation and, at a mean of 23.4 months after immunisation, 6 currently have protective titres. Minor side effects occurred after 11 vaccine doses in 9 children. No child developed varicella, despite 10 clear episodes of exposure to the wild-type virus.

CONCLUSIONS:

Varicella immunisation in children with end stage and pre-end stage renal failure results in a high rate of seroconversion and persistence of protective antibody titres. More widespread use of the vaccine before renal transplantation is recommended.

• Authors: N J Webb, M M Fitzpatrick, D A Hughes, T J Brocklebank, B A Judd, M A Lewis, R J Postlethwaite, P A Smith, G Corbitt
• Journal: Archives of disease in childhood (Arch Dis Child) Vol. 82 Issue 2 Pg. 141-3 (Feb 2000) ISSN: 1468-2044 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 10648369 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Viral
• Chickenpox Vaccine

Topics

• Antibodies, Viral (biosynthesis, blood)
• Chickenpox (prevention & control)
• Chickenpox Vaccine (immunology)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Herpesvirus 3, Human (immunology)
• Humans
• Immunization
• Kidney Failure, Chronic (immunology, surgery)
• Kidney Transplantation
• Male
• Prospective Studies