Pediatric Education and Research

Varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster are caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) (shingles). Varicella, or chickenpox, is caused by a primary VZV infection, which causes a diffuse vesicular rash. The Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) is always in circulation, and the illness burden rises throughout the spring season. Clinical diagnosis is difficult due to a wide range of clinical presentations ranging from vesicular rash to hemorrhage or neurological sequelae.

Keywords: Varicella; chickenpox; shingles; varicella zoster virus; herpes zoster.

Diphtheria, an acute, communicable, and life-threatening disease has been on the verge of decline owing to rigorous vaccination in most parts of the world. However, certain crops of epidemics pop up, mostly in underdeveloped countries. There has been a paradigm shift in the epidemiology with more and more adults being afflicted with Diphthteria. Adults have also be known to develop more complication commonly associated with Diphtheria. Though on the decline, this disease is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In this article, we discuss in detail Diphtheria and review a few studies adding to our known literature about the disease.

Keywords: Diphtheria; Corynebacterium; Pseudomembrane; Diphtheria Toxin.

The term Pertussis which is known as whooping cough or ‘100 day cough’ literally translates into violent cough. This disease was first elaborated in the epidemic of Paris in the year 1578. The organism Bordetella pertussis was described first in 1906 and the vaccine was first developed in 1940s. The disease was a major contributor to mortality and morbidity in infants. The disease spreads easily by aerosols. It affects all household contacts who have not been immunized. The disease inhabits ciliated cells of lower respiratory tract and induced inflammatory changes. These inturn release toxins namely pertussis toxin, dermonecrotic toxin, adenylate cyclase toxin, and tracheal cytotoxin which may act at site of invasion and also produce systemic effects. Strangely the organism per se doesn’t invade the cells completely nor does it show in blood cultures. As the disease is of high severity, the prevention of pertussis has been considered an important public health issue for many years. Over the years the classical presentation of whooping cough has become uncommon, hence the diagnosis of pertussis has become difficult. Atypical clinical picture with nonspecific investigatory findings make this even more difficult. The key to managing pertussis lies in early detection and prompt treatment. This study aims to study an overall picture of Pertussis including the epidemiology pathogenesis clinical picture and treatment. It also aims to put light over outbreak control, immunity as a result of vaccination and disease exposure and future directives.

Keywords: Pertussis; whooping cough; Bordetella pertussis.