Varicella seroprevalence in Turkish population in Cyprus.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to determine the age-specific seroprevalence of varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection in Turkish population in Cyprus.


METHODS
A total of 600 unvaccinated individuals aged 1-30 years were selected for the study with cluster sampling. Information on socio-demographic characteristics was gathered for each participant and, anti-VZV antibodies were assayed by using enzyme immune assay.


RESULTS
Of the 578 assayed samples, 486 (84.1%) were seropositive. Varicella seroprevalence increased sharply with age from 25% for the 2-3 year olds to 55, 78 and 85% for 4-5, 6-7 and 8-9 year olds, respectively. More than 90% of individuals >16 years of age were seropositive. Varicella seroprevalence was higher in large families with five and more members (91.2%) than in small families with four or fewer members (80.2%).


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of varicella-zoster virus infections occur during preschool period and at the first years of schooling. Therefore, routine varicella vaccination of children would be logical in Northern Cyprus, as is currently recommended by the European Working Group on Varicella.
Kurugol
Zafer
Z
Department of Paediatrics, Ege University Medical Faculty, Izmir, Turkey. zafer.kurugol@ege.edu.tr
Koturoglu
Guldane
G
Aksit
Sadik
S
Ozacar
Tijen
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003535:Cyprus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral