Modification of Chicken Pox in Family Contacts by Administration of Gamma Globulin

Abstract

SINCE 1944, when the use of gamma globulin was introduced for the modification and prevention of measles,1 , 2 numerous attempts to prevent, attenuate or treat chicken pox with this agent have been reported.3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Before that time convalescent varicella serum had been used with similar objectives.11 In recent years, the need for a method of modification of chicken pox has become increasingly apparent, owing to the publication of descriptions of a variety of serious and sometimes fatal sequelae under certain well defined circumstances. These have included primary varicella pneumonia in adults,12 13 14 15 visceral dissemination,16 , 17 death from neonatal chicken pox,18 19 20 21 fatal chicken pox in . . .