Susceptibility to varicella in childbearing age women, Central Italy: is there a need for vaccinating this population group?
We conducted a cross-sectional seroprevalence study of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) antibodies in childbearing age women aged 17-42 years. Sera were collected in Central Italy in years 2001-2002 and were tested by a commercial VZV IgG enzyme immunoassay. Overall VZV seroprevalence was 80.9% and it showed a significant increase by age, confirming a considerable circulation of VZV also in the older age groups not commonly considered at high risk. This study further supports the importance of vaccinating susceptible adolescents and women of childbearing age in order to reduce both maternal and foetal complications associated with varicella in pregnancy.
Alfonsi
Valeria
V
Istituto Superiore di Sanità, National Center for Epidemiology Surveillance and Health Promotion, Italy.
Montomoli
Emanuele
E
Manini
Ilaria
I
Alberini
Isabella
I
Gentile
Chiara
C
Rota
Maria Cristina
MC
Ciofi degli Atti
Marta Luisa
ML
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008423:Maternal Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine