title: Varicella zoster virus in health care workers in northern Israel: seroprevalence and predictive value of history of varicella infection.
abstract: Health care workers (HCWs) are susceptible to hospital acquired varicella zoster virus (VZV). We evaluated seroprevalence and predictive value of a history of varicella disease (VD) with VZV serology in HCWs in northern Israel. A total of 200 HCWs were enrolled. A high rate of seropositivity for VZV-IgG was found: 98.5% seropositive and only 1.5% seronegative. A positive history of VD was an excellent predictor for the presence of VZV-IgG; however, a negative history of VD does not rule out the presence of VZV-IgG.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Unit, Ha'Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel. chazan_b@clalit.org.il
authors.forename: Bibiana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chazan
authors.forename: Raul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Colodner
authors.forename: Nava
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Teitler
authors.forename: Yael
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Raul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Raz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G