Objectives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of childhood infectious diseases was increased. Post-COVID-19 escalation of chickenpox cases, becoming an emerging public health concern. Thus, the study was designed to compare chickenpox prevalence and Varicella zoster virus (VZV) genotypes circulating before, during, and post-COVID-19 in Pakistan.
Methods: A total of 267 lesion specimens collected from tertiary care hospitals, and chickenpox outbreaks from Pakistan were analysed by a two-amplicon approach with phylogenetic analysis.
Results: Among suspected cases, overall 178/267 were VZV positive. Majority (84.2 %; 150/178) cases were of post-COVID-19 pandemic time. Small outbreaks occurred soon after COVID-19 in Rawalpindi and Islamabad (Pakistan), 40 positive cases out of 178 cases were outbreak cases. There was first time detection of the M4 genotype, which was significantly associated with disease severity (p = 0.0006) and post-COVID-19 chickenpox outbreaks in 2021 (77.9 %; 46/59; p < 0.00001). However, in pre-COVID-19 only M2 genotype was detected. The M2 prevalence varied from 2019 (100 %; 19/19) to 2022 (3.2 %; 3/91). However, the most prevalent strain of 2022 belonged to the M1 genotype (64.8 %; 59/91).
Conclusion: A significant rise in chickenpox cases detected soon after COVID-19 in Pakistan, and oscillation of different VZV genotypes with first time detection of M4 genotype is an alarming situation. This demands further detailed genotypic studies on transmission dynamics of a rare M4 with other genotypes to protect the local population and restrict spread in other regions.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107162 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Multicenter Analysis of Acute Retinal Necrosis: Clinical Characteristics, Viral Pathogens, and Diagnostic Predictive Factors.
Ocul Immunol Inflamm
January 2025
Ocular inflammation and infection division, Department of Ophthalmology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand.
Purpose: This multicenter study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and factors associated with specific viral pathogens in patients with acute retinal necrosis (ARN).
Methods: A retrospective multicenter cohort study included ARN patients who underwent aqueous or vitreous polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. Multivariable mixed-effects Poisson regression was used to identify factors associated with viral pathogens.
Infection Screening and Vaccination of Adult and Pediatric Patients with Autoimmune Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases: An Emirati Delphi Consensus.
Curr Rheumatol Rev
January 2025
Department of Rheumatology, Dubai Hospital, Dubai Academic Health Corporation, Dubai, United Arab Emirate.
Introduction: Patients with autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD) have an increased susceptibility to infections due to their compromised immune systems and the use of immunosuppressive therapies. Infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients, emphasizing the need for strategies such as infection control and vaccination to prevent avoidable harm to both patients and healthcare workers. This study aims to provide expert consensus on infection screening and vaccination guidelines for AIIRD patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) is a highly contagious alpha-herpes virus. The diagnosis of chickenpox remains a difficult task especially in cases of breakthrough chickenpox, so the development of reliable laboratory tests is necessary. The simplest and most sensitive serological test for detecting antibodies in human and animal sera is the passive hemagglutination reaction (PHAR).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTemporary trigeminal ganglion stimulation can improve zoster-related trigeminal neuralgia: a retrospective study in a single center.
Front Neurol
January 2025
Department of Pain Management, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.
Introduction: Conventional management approaches have been challenged in dealing with zoster-related trigeminal neuralgia. Percutaneous trigeminal ganglion stimulation (TGS) has been rarely reported as a potential treatment option for alleviating pain associated with this condition. The present study investigated the application of percutaneous TGS in a series of patients suffering from Zoster-related trigeminal neuralgia to evaluate its potential efficacy of pain relief.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFatal disseminated varicella infection in a patient on long-term oral corticosteroids.
Am J Emerg Med
December 2024
Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shenzhen Baoan Clinical Medical College of Guangdong Medical University,118 Longjinger Road, Baoan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518101, China; Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, 118 Longjinger Road, Baoan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518101, China. Electronic address:
Primary varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection typically occurs in childhood and is generally mild. However, in immunocompromised patients, VZV-related diseases can be more severe. Fatal cases of disseminated varicella are still rare.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!