title: Varicella-zoster virus antibody avidity and IgG-subclass patterns in children with recurrent chickenpox.
abstract: The normal immune response after primary varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection includes IgG subclass evolution to predominantly IgG1-type antibodies, and maturation from low to high avidity antibodies which are maintained for life. Twenty-three healthy and apparently immunocompetent children with a history of 2-5 episodes of chickenpox were studied after repeat disease. Serial sera were tested for VZV-IgG subclass patterns and VZV IgG and G-subclass antibody avidity by urea elution enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA). Of 11 patients studied within 8 weeks of repeat chickenpox (Early Group), mean antibody avidity was significantly lower (31.3 +/- 26.81) than control (65.1 +/- 12.38) (P < .001). Seven had low avidity antibody (< 30 percent) and an abundance of IgG3 which was a pattern like primary chickenpox, and 2/11 had high avidity antibody characteristic of anamnestic responses. Early Group patients and 12 others studied over 8 weeks after repeat disease (Late Group) showed avidity maturation and attrition of IgG subclass antibodies other than IgG1. At least nine children failed to show VZV-specific secondary (memory) immune responses early in the course of repeat disease. It is possible that failure to maintain or evoke a secondary immune response could explain their susceptibility to repeat chickenpox.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Junker
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tilley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D000915:Antibody Affinity / Q000276:immunology*; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G