Preventing Transmission of Vaccine-Associated Viral Infections from a Patient With Severe Combined Immune Deficiency

Abstract

Background: The transmissibility of vaccine-strain viruses from immunocompromised patients, such as those with severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) is unknown. The infection control management of a patient diagnosed with SCID and infected with vaccine-strain varicella zoster virus (VZV) and measles virus is described below. A previously healthy, full-term boy was vaccinated at 14 months with measles mumps rubella varicella (MMR) vaccine. He had received prior vaccinations, including rotavirus, without adverse effects. During the 6 weeks after vaccination, the patient developed signs and symptoms clinically consistent with chicken pox and measles. An immune work-up revealed SCID. Methods: The Alberta Health Services (AHS) SCID protocol was followed to manage the patient upon admission at 17 months of age. Multiple meetings with various stakeholders were held to ensure appropriate precautions were followed to minimize the risk of pathogen transmission. Results: The patient was placed on airborne and contact precautions in a negative-pressure room. The pressure differential of the room to the corridor was continually monitored and displayed at the entry to the room. Staff known to be immune to VZV or measles were not required to wear an N95 respirator. All intrahospital movement of the patient was coordinated with the respective care teams and departments, including infection prevention and control, facilities maintenance and engineering, respiratory therapy, and diagnostic imaging. A mask was placed on the patient when movement outside the room was required. VZV testing was positive for the Oka/vaccine strain on all samples tested (ie, nasopharyngeal, skin, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid). Nasopharyngeal swabs and blood were PCR positive for measles genotype A/vaccine strain virus. Both viruses were persistently positive in spite of treatment with acyclovir, valganciclovir, varicella zoster immune globulin, and intravenous immune globulin. Conclusions: There is currently no documented transmission of measles vaccine-strain virus, and transmission of VZV vaccine-strain virus is rare. According to the AHS SCID protocol, the use of airborne and contact precautions for a patient identified with measles and/or VZV supersedes the use of a positive-pressure room for patients identified with SCID. Newborn screening for SCID was implemented in Alberta in June 2019. As a result, more SCID patients will be diagnosed earlier in their course, and therefore prior to most routine vaccinations. However, newborn screening will not pick up some types of combined immune deficiencies. Some children may still be at risk of vaccine-associated illnesses due to undiagnosed underlying immune deficiencies.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None