Seroprevalence of antibody to varicella zoster virus in England and Wales in children and young adults

This is the first large-scale study to investigate the seroprevalence of varicella zoster (VZV) in the general population of England and Wales. The study focused on those aged 1–20 years, that age group in whom most infections occur. Prevalence rose rapidly with age, with 53% of children showing evidence of prior infection by the age of 5 years and most young adults having experienced infection. In addition to using a fixed cut-off recommended by the manufacturer, a mixture modelling technique was also used to define the proportion of the population seropositive in each age group. This was shown to be a more accurate approach to categorizing data from an epidemiological perspective.

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CT density of cervical thymus, in comparison with mediastinal thymus

Insights into Imaging ◽

10.1186/s13244-019-0781-z ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Anitha Sen ◽

Jiji Valsalamony ◽

Jubie Raj

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Soft Tissue ◽

Older Age ◽

List Type ◽

Age Group ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Children And Young Adults ◽

Criteria For Diagnosis ◽

Ct Density ◽

Moderate Positive Correlation

Abstract Objectives Cervical component of thymus is noted more in children and young adults than in older age group. CT texture (lobules of soft tissue interspersed with fat), similarity with CT density of mediastinal thymus and continuity with mediastinal thymus on sagittal/coronal images, are given as the criteria for diagnosis of the cervical thymus. But CT densities of cervical and mediastinal components of the thymus may vary. The purpose of our study was to compare CT densities of cervical and mediastinal parts of the thymus, in cases where ultrasonography correlation was available. Methods We retrospectively identified 22 patients who had undergone CT between May 2015 and May 2017 and in whom ultrasonography (USG) correlation was available. CT densities of cervical and mediastinal components of thymus were measured. Results CT density of cervical thymus is lower than the CT density of mediastinal thymus by ~ 25 HU. There is a moderate positive correlation between CT densities of cervical and mediastinal parts of the thymus. CT densities of both cervical and mediastinal thymus were found to reduce with age, but the reduction was statistically significant only in the cervical thymus in this study. Conclusions CT densities of cervical and mediastinal components of the thymus may vary, with CT density of cervical thymus being lower. There is a positive correlation between CT densities of cervical and mediastinal parts of the thymus. CT density of cervical thymus reduces with age. Understanding these may help avoid confusion on CT and avoid the need for correlative USG, saving time and effort.

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Incidence of herpes zoster and seroprevalence of varicella-zoster virus in young adults of South Korea

International Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1016/j.ijid.2007.08.002 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 245-247 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Cheol-In Kang ◽

Chang-Min Choi ◽

Tae-Sung Park ◽

Dong-Jun Lee ◽

Myoung-don Oh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Herpes Zoster ◽

South Korea ◽

Varicella Zoster Virus ◽

Varicella Zoster

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COVID toes: a unique cutaneous indicator of COVID-19

The Southwest Respiratory and Critical Care Chronicles ◽

10.12746/swrccc.v9i39.845 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (39) ◽

pp. 15-21

Author(s):

Travis Dowdle ◽

Todd Brown ◽

Joshua Peterson ◽

Kiana Banafshay ◽

Jeannie Nguyen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Differential Diagnosis ◽

General Population ◽

Literature Review ◽

Public Interest ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Inflammatory Disorder ◽

Trends Analysis ◽

Additional Testing ◽

Children And Young Adults

Background: This brief review considers major aspects of COVID toes as currently understood. Topics discussed include etiology, pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, treatment, and management. Media characterization, potentially leading to intense public interest in COVID toes during the summer of 2020, is also discussed. Methods: The literature review was conducted by selecting articles from PUBMED, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Google Scholar based on the relevance to our topic. To determine the relative search interest of the general population, a Google Trends analysis was queried on 11/17/20 for the retrospective duration of 11/17/2019–11/17/2020. Results: The majority of patients who have presented with COVID toes are children and young adults. COVID toes generally present as acro-ischemic lesions, which are microthrombotic events in the extremities, leading to symptoms such as pseudo-chilblains or pernio-like lesions. Chilblains are histologically classified as an inflammatory disorder with a prominent perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate seen on microscopy. The regions are described as appearing erythematous to purple purpuric macules, papules, and/or vesicles. In many cases, COVID toes symptoms are self-limiting. Conclusion: The development of COVID toes represents an additional manifestation of COVID-19 that should lead to additional testing. Knowledge of these symptoms can give healthcare workers and the general public another tool for recognizing COVID-19. Keywords: COVID toes, COVID-19, coronavirus, chilblains, pernio

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OBSERVATIONS OF TOTAL SERUM BASE IN CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS BY A CONDUCTIVITY METHOD

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.4.6.805 ◽

1949 ◽

Vol 4 (6) ◽

pp. 805-809

Author(s):

W. M. KELSEY ◽

L. B. LEINBACH

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Total Serum ◽

Age Group ◽

Conductivity Method ◽

Normal Children ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Children And Young Adults ◽

The Mean ◽

Standard Deviations

Values for total serum base in 96 normal children under 12 years of age as determined by the conductivity method fell between 143 to 160.5 mEq./l. The mean was 153. Standard deviations for each age group are given. The values in 73 normal persons above the age of 12 varied from 142 to 160.5 mEq./l. The mean was 147 mEq./l. A statistically significant difference between the total serum base in children and adults was found.

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Abstract 18284: Incidence of Epilepsy is Elevated in Children and Young Adults With Congenital Heart Defects Compared With the General Population: A Nationwide Cohort Study

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.132.suppl_3.18284 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽

Author(s):

Morten Olsen ◽

Bradley S Marino ◽

Michelle Leisner ◽

Jessica G Woo ◽

Nicolas L Madsen

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Preterm Birth ◽

General Population ◽

Congenital Heart Defects ◽

Congenital Heart ◽

Heart Defects ◽

Birth Registry ◽

Registration System ◽

Children And Young Adults

Perioperative seizures related to surgery for congenital heart defects (CHD) are well described; however, few data exist on the long-term risk of epilepsy in patients with CHD. We aimed to estimate the incidence of epilepsy in children and young adults with CHD compared with the general population. Methods: Utilizing data from the Danish National Registry of Patients (DNRP) we identified all patients diagnosed with CHD before the age of 15 years between 1980 and 2010 who were born during the same period. The DNRP is a nationwide hospital discharge registry covering all Danish hospitals. Previously validated methodology using the DNRP was applied to measure the outcome, epilepsy, as well as presence of extra cardiac defects (ECD) and/or syndromes. We used the Danish Medical Birth Registry to identify preterm birth (gestational age<37 weeks). For each CHD subject, we identified 10 controls from the general population using the Danish Civil Registration System, matched by sex and birth year. A unique personal identifier assigned at birth and used in all Danish public registries enabled virtually complete follow up for migration, death, or epilepsy until January 1, 2013. We computed cumulative incidences and hazard ratios (HR) (split at 5 years of age to obtain proportional hazards) of time from CHD diagnosis (index date for controls) to epilepsy. Results: We identified 14,665 CHD subjects with a median age at diagnosis of 2 (IQR 19) months. By 15 years of age, the cumulative incidence of epilepsy was 4% among CHD subjects. The HR of epilepsy among CHD subjects compared with the control cohort was 3.7 (95% CI: 3.2-4.3) below 5 years of age, and 2.4 (95% CI: 2.1-2.7) from 5 to 33 years of age. In the older age group, HR for patients with severe CHD was 2.8 (95% CI: 2.3-3.5), and for mild and moderate CHD was 2.2 (95% CI: 1.8-2.6). After exclusion of all subjects with ECDs and/or syndromes and preterm birth, corresponding HRs were 2.2 (95% CI: 1.6-3.0) and 1.7 (95% CI: 1.3-2.2), respectively. Conclusion: The epilepsy risk was markedly increased in CHD subjects compared with the age and gender matched controls. These findings add evidence to support the importance of developing neuro-protective measures and potentially long-term epilepsy surveillance strategies in the CHD population.

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Recombinant glycoprotein E produced in mammalian cells in large-scale as an antigen for varicella-zoster-virus serology

Journal of Virological Methods ◽

10.1016/j.jviromet.2011.04.014 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 175 (1) ◽

pp. 53-59 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Elisabeth Thomsson ◽

Linn Persson ◽

Anna Grahn ◽

Johanna Snäll ◽

Maria Ekblad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Varicella Zoster Virus ◽

Mammalian Cells ◽

Large Scale ◽

Glycoprotein E ◽

Recombinant Glycoprotein ◽

Varicella Zoster

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Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus—Diagnosis and Management

US Ophthalmic Review ◽

10.17925/usor.2013.06.02.1 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 06 (02) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Antoine Rousseau ◽

Tristan Bourcier ◽

Joseph Colin ◽

Marc Labetoulle ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Herpes Zoster ◽

General Population ◽

Viral Replication ◽

Varicella Zoster Virus ◽

Lifetime Risk ◽

Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus ◽

Ocular Complications ◽

Varicella Zoster ◽

Diagnosis And Management

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infections are widely distributed in the general population. The lifetime risk of herpes zoster is estimated to be 10–20 %, increasing with age (1–4). Since herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) accounts for 20 % of all locations of shingles, the lifetime risk of HZO is about 1–2 %. The management of ocular complications of VZV infection is now well codified, but sequellae still can occur, despite an armamentarium effective in limiting viral replication and its immune consequences.

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Persistence of Varicella-Zoster Virus-Specific Plasma Cells in Adult Human Bone Marrow following Childhood Vaccination

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.02127-19 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 94 (13) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Christiane S. Eberhardt ◽

Andreas Wieland ◽

Tahseen H. Nasti ◽

Alba Grifoni ◽

Elizabeth Wilson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

T Cells ◽

Young Adults ◽

Varicella Zoster Virus ◽

Cd4 T Cells ◽

Plasma Cells ◽

Cd4 T Cell ◽

Immune Memory ◽

Varicella Zoster ◽

Ifn Γ

ABSTRACT Childhood immunization with the live-attenuated varicella-zoster virus (VZV) vaccine induces protective immune responses. Routine VZV vaccination started only 2 decades ago, and thus, there are few studies examining the longevity of vaccine-induced immunity. Here, we analyzed the quantity of VZV-specific plasma cells (PCs) and CD4 T cells in the bone marrow (BM) of healthy young adults (n = 15) following childhood VZV immunization. Long-lived BM resident plasma cells constitutively secrete antibodies, and we detected VZV-specific PCs in the BM of all subjects. Anti-VZV plasma antibody titers correlated positively with the number of VZV-specific BM PCs. Furthermore, we quantified the number of interferon gamma (IFN-γ)-producing CD4 T cells specific for VZV glycoprotein E and all other structural and nonstructural VZV proteins in both BM and blood (peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMCs]). The frequency of VZV-specific IFN-γ-producing CD4 T cells was significantly higher in PBMCs than BM. Our study shows that VZV-specific PCs and VZV-specific CD4 memory T cells persist up to 20 years after vaccination. These findings indicate that childhood VZV vaccination can elicit long-lived immune memory responses in the bone marrow. IMPORTANCE Childhood varicella-zoster virus (VZV) immunization induces immune memory responses that protect against primary VZV infection, chicken pox. In the United States, routine childhood VZV vaccination was introduced only 2 decades ago. Hence, there is limited information on the longevity of B and CD4 T cell memory, which are both important for protection. Here, we showed in 15 healthy young adults that VZV-specific B and CD4 T cell responses are detectable in bone marrow (BM) and blood up to 20 years after vaccination. Specifically, we measured antibody-secreting plasma cells in the BM and VZV-specific CD4 T cells in BM and blood. These findings suggest that childhood VZV vaccination induces long-lived immunity.

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