Fibrinolytic activity in varicella

This study included 22 children with varicella without haemorrhagic manifestations [group IIA] and 8 cases with haemorrhagic manifestations [group IIB]; in addition to 10 normal children [group I] as controls. The present work showed that bleeding time was prolonged in both varicella groups and coagulation time showed no significant change between both varicella groups and control group. Platelet count showed marked decrease in both varicella groups especially group [IIB]. The present work also showed increased fibrinolytic activity in varicella group with haemorrhagic manifestation as evidenced by the presence of fibrin degradation products in 100% of the cases in group [IIB] and 9% of the cases in group [IIA]. Also, euglobulin lysis time was shortened in group [IIB] and was within normal in group [IIA]. Antithrombin III showed marked decrease in group [IIB] and was within normal in group [IIA]. Serum alpha-1-antitrypsin showed significant increase in both varicella groups. Serum alpha-2macroglobin showed significant increase in group [IIA] and no changes in group [IIB]