title: Varicella seroprevalence and molecular epidemiology of varicella-zoster virus in Argentina, 2002.
abstract: There is limited data on immunity against varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in adults in different parts of Argentina, and it is not known which VZV strains are circulating in Argentina. The objectives of this study were as follows: (i) to evaluate seroprevalence of varicella among adults, assessing the accuracy of clinical history and determining the sociodemographic factors associated with seropositivity; and (ii) to determine the VZV strains circulating in Argentina. A cross-sectional serological survey enrolling 2,807 women aged 15 to 49 years attending public health-care settings in four cities in Argentina (i.e., Buenos Aires, Salta, Mendoza, and Rosario) and one rural area was conducted from August to November 2002. Specimens for identification of VZV strains were obtained from vesicular lesions from 13 pediatric patients with varicella from different areas of the country. PCR amplification was used for genotyping. The overall seroprevalence of varicella antibodies was 98.5% (95% confidence interval, 98.0 to 98.9), ranging from 97.2% in central Buenos Aires to 99.3% in southern Buenos Aires and Salta. Varicella seroprevalence increased with age. Crowding and length of residence in the same place were associated with seropositivity. The positive predictive value of varicella history for immunity to varicella was 99.4%; however, the negative predictive value was 2.5%. The European genotype was identified in all viral specimens. In Argentina, seroprevalence in women more than 15 years old was high regardless of the area of residence. Negative or uncertain varicella history was not a good predictor of immunity. VZV genotype was stable in all areas of the country.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology and Surveillance Division, National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MS E-61, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. gdayan@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Gustavo H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Dayan
authors.forename: María S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Panero
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Debbag
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Urquiza
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prieto
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Del Carmen Perego
authors.forename: Graciela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scagliotti
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Galimberti
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carroli
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wolff
authors.forename: D Scott
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Loparev
authors.forename: Dalya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guris
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seward
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral