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a Department of
Infection & Tropical Medicine, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield
S10 2JF, UK, b Department of Radiology, c Respiratory Function Unit
Correspondence to: Dr A H Mohsen Abdul.Mohsen{at}kcl.ac.uk
Received 20 November 2000; Returned to authors 14 March 2001; Revised version received 23 May 2001; Accepted for publication 4 July 2001
BACKGROUND
Varicella
is 25 times more likely to be complicated by pneumonia in adults than
in children. Data on changes in lung function following pneumonia are
limited. This study was undertaken to describe the epidemiological
factors associated with pneumonia and to investigate lung function up
to 1 year following chickenpox.
METHODSThirty eight
consecutive suitable patients admitted to a university hospital were
enrolled in the study; 19 had pneumonia and 19 did not. Epidemiological
data and density of rash were recorded, spirometric tests were
performed, and carbon monoxide transfer factor was measured.
RESULTSVaricella
pneumonia was associated with the presence of respiratory symptoms
(p=0.006), current smoking (p=0.003), and history of close contact
(p=0.009). There was a trend towards patients with pneumonia having a
more severe rash. No association was observed between pneumonia and age
or sex. Current smokers had a higher mean number of spots than
non-smokers (p=0.005). Carbon monoxide transfer factor at hospital
discharge was reduced in 27 patients (71%), more markedly in the group
with pneumonia (p=0.009). Nine patients (seven with pneumonia) still
had a reduced carbon monoxide transfer factor (mean reduction 36%) at
12 months.
CONCLUSIONChickenpox
may result in a defect in carbon monoxide transfer factor for at least
a year after acute illness.
This article has been cited by other articles:
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  E. Schvoerer, V. Frechin, A. Warter, B. Gasser, H. Jouin, J.-P. Gut, and F. Stoll-Keller Persistent Multiple Pulmonary Nodules in a Nonimmunocompromised Woman after Varicella-Related Myelitis Treated with Acyclovir J. Clin. Microbiol., October 1, 2003; 41(10): 4904 - 4905. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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 A.H. Mohsen and M. McKendrick Varicella pneumonia in adults Eur. Respir. J., May 1, 2003; 21(5): 886 - 891. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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 M. Brisson, W J. Edmunds, N. J Gay, E. Miller, J C. Bramley, R. Devi, D. Muir, P. Rice, A H Mohsen, M W McKendrick, et al. Deaths from chickenpox BMJ, March 9, 2002; 324(7337): 609 - 609. [Full Text]
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