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Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Development of an IFN-γ ELISpot Assay to Assess Varicella-Zoster Virus-specific Cell-mediated Immunity Following Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation
Published on: July 9, 2014
The burden of severe varicella in Spain, 1995--2000 period
Angel Gil1, Antonio González, Itziar Oyagüez
1Department of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Avda de Atenas s/n, Alcorcón, Spain. a.gildemiguel@cs.urjc.es
Background:
Population-based estimates of hospitalization rates for varicella provide data of the severe and costly end of this disease.
Objective:
To estimate the annual burden of hospitalization due to primary varicella in the 17 Autonomous Regions of Spain.
Methods:
Data were obtained from the national surveillance system for hospital data and comprises all hospital discharges for varicella reported during the 1995--2000 period.
Results:
The overall incidence of hospitalizations was 2.7 per 100,000 persons per year (ranging from 3.2 in Navarra to 1.5 in the Canary Islands). Forty-eight deaths were reported during the period. Each year varicella was responsible for 3017 days of hospitalization in persons < or =10 years of age and 3333 days in persons > 10 years of age. The annual cost of these hospitalizations was 1.2 million and more than 500.000 euros for persons < or =10 years and > 10 years of age, respectively.
Conclusion:
Varicella is associated to a severe morbidity in children, adolescents and adults in Spain. The burden of varicella is likely to be potentially reduced by effective immunization programs.
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