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. 2000 Feb;82(2):141–143. doi: 10.1136/adc.82.2.141

Immunisation against varicella in end stage and pre-end stage renal failure

N Webb 1, M Fitzpatrick 1, D Hughes 1, T Brocklebank 1, B Judd 1, M Lewis 1, R Postlethwaite 1, P Smith 1, G Corbitt 1
PMCID: PMC1718197  PMID: 10648369

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 × 2000 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.



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Selected References

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