Varicella-zoster virus infection after peripheral blood stem cell autografts in children with leukemia or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]

Thirty-two patients with leukemia or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) who underwent high-dose chemotherapy without total body irradiation (TBI) and peripheral blood stem cell autografts (PBSCT) were evaluated for the occurrence of clinically manifested varicella-zoster virus infection (VZV). In a minimum follow-up of 3 mo, there were 14 cases with VZV; 12 patients were treated with intravenous acyclovir and 2 patients received additional intravenous VZV hyperimmune immunoglobulin preparations. History of previous varicella-zoster at some time before PBSCT was the only significant risk factor for the development of VZV. Furthermore, a significant association between VZV and higher disease-free survival rate after PBSCT was proved. Development of minor and reversible VZV is rather common event after high-dose chemotherapy without TBI and PBSCT. VZV appears to be one of the factors which reflects basic physiologic mechanism preventing relapse of leukemias or NHL after PBSCT.