Introduction

Varicella Zoster Virus Household Exposure in a Pediatric Patient With a History of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Important information

VARIZIG highlights of prescribing information, available at https://varizig.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/VARIZIG_Pl.pdf

Indication and Usage

VARIZIG is a Varicella Zoster Immune Globulin (Human) indicated for post-exposure prophylaxis in high-risk individuals. High-risk groups include: immunocompromised children and adults, newborns of mothers with varicella shortly before or after delivery, premature infants, neonates and infants less than one year of age, adults without evidence of immunity, pregnant women.

VARIZIG administration is intended to reduce the severity of varicella.

Important Safety Information

VARIZIG contains trace amounts of IgA. Individuals known to have anaphylactic or severe systemic (hypersensitivity) reactions to human immune globulin preparations should not receive VARIZIG. IgA-deficient patients with antibodies against IgA and a history of hypersensitivity may have an anaphylactoid reaction. Thrombotic events may occur during or following treatment with immune globulin products. Administer VARIZIG intramuscularly only. In patients who have severe thrombocytopenia or any coagulation disorder that would contraindicate intramuscular injections, only administer VARIZIG if the expected benefits outweigh the potential risks. Severe hypersensitivity reactions may occur following VARIZIG administration. In case of hypersensitivity, discontinue administration of VARIZIG immediately and provide appropriate treatment. Because VARIZIG is made from human plasma, it may carry a risk of transmitting infectious agents, e.g., viruses, the variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease agent, and, theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease agent.

The most serious adverse drug reactions observed in clinical trials for all subjects and patients include pyrexia, nausea, and vomiting. The most common adverse drug reactions observed in clinical trials for all subjects and patients were injection site pain, headache, chills, fatigue, rash, and nausea.

Please see full Prescribing Information for complete prescribing details.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Kamada at pharmacovigilance@kamada.com or 1-(866)-916-0077 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch

VARIZIG is a registered trademark of Kamada Ltd. Kamada Inc., 221 River St, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel. 1-833-779-2614 ©2024 Kamada Inc.

History of Present Illness

Welcome. Your patient today is Emma B.

PRO-VAR-1208-v1. Emma is a 6-year-old girl with a history of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) diagnosed three years ago. She initially underwent induction therapy with daunorubicin, cytarabine, and thioguanine. After two years of treatment, she achieved remission; however, she experienced a relapse 12 months later. Subsequently, she was treated with axicabtagene ciloleucel (CAR-T therapy). She is currently in the fourth month following her CAR-T treatment.

Three days ago, Emma visited her grandmother. Her grandmother had developed a rash a few days before the visit but did not consider it significant until she was diagnosed with shingles (herpes zoster) the following day. Her healthcare provider contacted all recent visitors to inform them about the potential exposure. Emma had received 2 doses of the varicella-zoster vaccine during early childhood.

Emma is asymptomatic with no fever, rash, or other signs of illness. Her parents report that she feels well, is eating and drinking normally, and remains active without complaints of fatigue or discomfort. Due to her immunocompromised state post-CAR-T therapy, there is concern about potential exposure to the virus and the risk of complications.

Medical history: AML diagnosed at age 3, treated with induction chemotherapy and CAR-T therapy; immunocompromised status following relapse therapy.

Surgical history: port-a-cath placement at age 3 for chemotherapy administration.

Current medications: none.

Allergies: no known drug allergies.

Review of systems: Denies fever, rash, fatigue, and other systemic complaints.

Family and Social History

Emma lives at home with her parents and two younger siblings. Three days prior, she visited her grandmother at home.

Physical Examination Notes

GENERAL: well-developed; in no distress; alert and oriented × 3, no skin lesions or rash.

Consultation

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Full transcript below

Transcript · Do you have any questions?

Doctor: Do you have any questions?

Emma’s mother: Emma got her two doses of the varicella zoster vaccine on schedule. With everything she’s been through, is she still protected against varicella?

Doctor: That’s a very good question. Emma’s vaccinations were done on time, but her situation is unique because of her leukemia and the CAR-T therapy she received. Leukemia and CAR-T therapy can affect how long vaccines remain effective, so we don’t know if the vaccine still provides her with enough protection.

Emma’s mother: So, she might not be fully protected against varicella anymore?

Doctor: That’s correct. We can’t be sure if the vaccine still protects her as it would someone without her medical history. That’s why we take extra precautions when there’s any chance of exposure to the virus.

Emma’s mother: Can we check if Emma is still immune?

Doctor: We can run a blood test to check for antibodies to the varicella virus, which causes varicella. But even if the test shows she has antibodies, it doesn’t necessarily mean she’s fully protected. With her history, there’s still a chance she could get sick, as there is no known protective level of antibodies to varicella, so we focus more on preventing illness than relying solely on test results.

Emma’s mother: What does that mean for Emma?

Doctor: It means that if she’s exposed to varicella, we won’t wait for tests or results to act. We would start prophylaxis right away to lower her risk of getting sick. This is the safest way to protect her.

Emma’s mother: What would happen if she got varicella?

Doctor: Emma is at a higher risk of severe illness because of her medical history. Varicella in her case, could be much more serious than it would be in someone with a stronger immune system. Complications could include more severe symptoms or additional infections, so we focus so much on prevention.

Emma’s mother: So, if she’s exposed, should we act right away?

Doctor: Exactly. Even though she’s had the vaccine, we can’t be sure it’s still protecting her. Acting quickly gives us the best chance to prevent serious illness before it starts.

Tests

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Proceed without testing

Varicella-zoster antibody test

Varicella-zoster polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test

Diagnoses

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NameAction
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Existing Diagnoses

NameStart dateEnd date
Acute Myeloid Leukemia……

Decisions

Medication selection · non-medication orders.

Daunorubicin

Dose: 60 mg/m2 · Route: intravenous (IV)

Historical

Thioguanine

Dose: 100 mg/m2 · Route: oral

Historical

Cytarabine

Dose: 200 mg/m2 · Route: IV

Historical

Cytarabine

Dose: 300 mg/m2 · Route: IV

Historical

Axicabtagene ciloleucel (CAR-T therapy)

Dose: 2 × 106 CAR-T cells/kg · Route: infusion

Historical

Medication Selection

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NameAction
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Non-Medication Orders

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Follow-up appointment

Next steps

Patient Education

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Case Review

Emma is a 10-year-old girl with a history of AML. She completed induction therapy with daunorubicin, cytarabine, and thioguanine. After experiencing a relapse 12 months post-remission, Emma was treated with CAR-T therapy.

Three days ago, Emma visited her grandmother at home. Today, healthcare providers notified Emma’s parents that her grandmother had been diagnosed with VZV. Although Emma received 2 doses of the varicella-zoster vaccine during early childhood, her immunocompromised state post-CAR-T therapy increases her risk of contracting the virus and experiencing complications. Emma shows no signs of illness—including fever, rash, or fatigue—and is eating, drinking, and remaining active as usual. However, due to her potential exposure, her parents should be vigilant for any symptoms of VZV, such as fever, fatigue, or rash, and seek prompt medical attention if they appear.

Expert Consensus

  • Exposure to VZV in high-risk individuals such as immunocompromised patients, non-immune adults, or preterm infants can lead to severe or complex varicella cases, which may involve complications such as pneumonitis, encephalitis or hepatitis .
  • VARIZIG (human) is recommended as a post-exposure prophylactic measure to help prevent or reduce the severity of VZV infection in high-risk individuals .
  • For optimal effectiveness, VARIZIG should be administered as soon as possible after exposure, preferably within 96 hours; however, the CDC states that it may be given up to 10 days after exposure ​​.
  • Current literature provides limited guidance on managing immunocompromised individuals with prophylactic doses of acyclovir or valaciclovir ​​. Importantly, if oral therapy is unsuccessful, the opportunity for effective VARIZIG administration within the critical 96-hour post-exposure window may be lost.
  • Alternative antiviral agents, including famciclovir and foscarnet, lack sufficient evidence to support their use as prophylaxis in this population.
You will continue to the evaluation

Varicella Zoster Virus Household Exposure in a Pediatric Patient With a History of Acute Myeloid Leukemia · Emma B.

Faculty — Hayley Gans MD

Supporter — Kamada, Inc / PRO-VAR-1208-v1

IntroductionConsultationTestsDiagnosesDecisionsCase Review