Zoster Immune Globulin

The prophylactic efficacy of zoster immune globulin was evaluated in 21 immunocompromised children (under therapy for leukemia or other malignant processes) who had household exposures to varicella. In six of the children who had serum antibody to antigen on the membrane of cells infected with Varicella Zoster virus, evidence of varicella did not develop. The remaining 15 children who did not have detectable Varicella Zoster antibody became infected. Varicella was severe in one, mild in nine and subclinical in five children. All 15 children, had persistence of Varicella Zoster antibody for months to years after infection. Administration of zoster immune globulin appeared to be an effective method to modify varicella in immunocompromised patients. (N Engl J Med 290:243–245, 1974)