Changes in age-related seroprevalence of antibody to varicella-zoster virus: impact on vaccine strategy

Kudesia, G.; Partridge, S.; Farrington, C. P. and Soltanpoor, N. (2002). Changes in age-related seroprevalence of antibody to varicella-zoster virus: impact on vaccine strategy. Journal of Clinical Pathology, 55(2) pp. 154–155.

URL: http://jcp.bmjjournals.com/content/55/2/154.full

Abstract

Aim: To study changes in the seroprevalence of varicella zoster virus (VZV) antibody over the past 25 years with a view to determining the target age group for any future vaccination strategy.
Methods: Stored sera collected from different age groups over a period of 25 years were tested by a commercial VZV IgG enzyme immunoassay at a four year time interval. Data were analysed by logistic regression to investigate the evidence for changes in incidence and hence seroprevalence over that period.
Results: There was a significant rise in VZV antibody prevalence in the 1–4 year age group during the study period.
Conclusions: A universal childhood VZV vaccination strategy will need to take account of the increase in incidence of VZV infection in children under the age of 4 years; hence, the suggested target age would be between 12 and 18 months–soon after the disappearance of maternal antibody.

Viewing alternatives

Look up in Google Scholar

Item Actions

Export

About

CORE (COnnecting REpositories)

Recommendations