Modern view of varicella: incidence among adults in the Voronezh region

V. V. Kunina; G. V. Fil; O. N. Krasnorutckaya; I. E. Tarasov; A. D. Khripchenko; Yu. Yu. Pivovarova; Ya. R. Sedykh

doi:10.51793/OS.2026.29.3.007

Modern view of varicella: incidence among adults in the Voronezh region

V. V. Kunina, G. V. Fil, O. N. Krasnorutckaya, I. E. Tarasov, A. D. Khripchenko, Yu. Yu. Pivovarova, Ya. R. Sedykh

https://doi.org/10.51793/OS.2026.29.3.007

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Abstract

Background. Varicella in adults in the Russian Federation represents a serious public health problem requiring a comprehensive approach, since in adults it is generally considerably more severe than in children and is associated with a high risk of serious complications. In the last decade, a trend has been noted toward an increase in the proportion of adults among those affected, with the registration of epidemic outbreaks of infection in adult communities. According to WHO estimates, each year 4.2 million severe and complicated cases of varicella result in hospitalization, and 4,200 cases lead to death worldwide.
Objective. To study the clinical and laboratory features of the course of varicella in adults in Voronezh and the Voronezh Region in 2023, 2024, and the first half of 2025.
Materials and methods. The article summarizes data from 123 patients with varicella who received inpatient treatment at Voronezh City Clinical Emergency Hospital No. 8 in Voronezh. The diagnosis of varicella was established on the basis of clinical and epidemiological data. All patients underwent general clinical tests: complete blood count and urinalysis, biochemical blood tests (with mandatory measurement of C-reactive protein, ferritin, and lactate dehydrogenase), as well as a coagulation profile. Instrumental studies included ECG for all patients, and ultrasound and CT scans as indicated.
Results. Analysis showed that the incidence of varicella remains at a fairly high level throughout the year, with a decrease in the autumn period. Varicella predominantly affects young adults (Me: 28 years), with men and women affected with equal frequency. Analysis of the course of the main clinical symptoms of varicella in adults revealed that in 89.4% of cases the disease had a moderately severe course. Complications were recorded in 15% of patients. Moderate intoxication was observed in 89% of patients, and in most cases (66.4%) the body temperature was lowgrade. Analysis of laboratory data showed that in 73.4% of patients there were no deviations from the reference values in the complete blood count for all parameters except the platelet count. The observed thrombocytopenia (in 41.5% of patients) is associated with an autoimmune response in varicella. The increase in ESR ranged from 25 to 80 mm/h in 32.9% of patients and averaged 41.94 mm/h. Notably, a marked increase in this parameter was more often observed in young patients without comorbidities. When evaluating biochemical parameters, the increase in C-reactive protein levels (from 6 to 200 mg/L) in 73.4% of hospitalized patients is noteworthy. It should be noted that a significant increase in CRP from 51 to 200 mg/L was observed in 37.7% of patients against the background of a moderately severe course and in the absence of complications.
Conclusion. The results of the study made it possible to analyze the features of the clinical course, epidemiological characteristics, and laboratory parameters of varicella in adults over two and a half years of observation. Thus, the data obtained may have practical significance for the diagnosis of varicella and for predicting the disease course in adults.