Evolution of hospital discharges for varicella-zoster virus associated pneumonia and meningitis in the Chilean population, 2010–2024

Abstract

Background: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), chickenpox causes approximately 4.2 million hospitalizations and 4,200 deaths worldwide each year. Chickenpox and shingles, caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), may result in serious complications such as meningitis and pneumonia, especially in at-risk groups, and pose a significant public health challenge. Aim: To analyze the evolution of hospital discharges due to VZV-related pneumonia and meningitis among the Chilean population from 2010 to 2024. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study examined the annual frequency of the data, categorized by age, sex, year of graduation, and region of residence. The incidence rate was estimated using data from the Department of Health Statistics and Information (DEIS) and the National Institute of Statistics (INE). Results: During the period studied, there were 565 hospital discharges associated with complications from VZV. Shingles-related meningitis was the most common complication, with a steady increase in recent years, whereas chickenpox-related pneumonia showed a marked decline. Conclusion: This study provides useful evidence to guide preventive strategies and optimize public policies concerning complications from VZV in Chile.