Varicella-zoster infections in pediatric renal transplant recipients

Varicella-zoster infections developed in ten of 76 children receiving a renal transplant during 1973 to 1978. Two children had varicella and one died during this infection. Eight children had herpes zoster and one experienced encephalitis. In the latter group, reduction of prednisone and azathioprine therapy resulted in rejection and loss of the graft in two of three patients in whom this drug therapy was altered.