title: Exploring the impact of exposure to primary varicella in children on varicella-zoster virus immunity of parents.
abstract: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes both primary varicella, and through reactivation of the virus, herpes zoster. It is hypothesized that VZV-immune adults may reduce the probability of developing herpes zoster through exposure to varicella. In this study we examine the existence of immunological boosting in VZV-immune adults after close contact with primary varicella. We followed-up 18 parents with household exposure to primary varicella for 1 y. Fifteen age-matched healthy and 20 older volunteers served as control groups. Cellular (IFN-γ ELISPOT) and humoral responses were measured. Data analyses were performed by t-tests and linear mixed models. The young control group only showed higher cellular responses than the older control group and the exposed group 1 mo after exposure. The exposed group had a strong tendency toward higher cellular responses compared to the older control group, reaching significance 1 y post-exposure. The best fitting linear mixed model predicts a decline in cellular response of 50% between 1 wk and 1 mo post-exposure, followed by an increase to attain an 80% higher level at 1 y compared to the first week post-exposure. No significant results emerged based on the humoral response of the individual parents in the exposed group, despite a general tendency toward higher antibody concentrations in the exposed versus the control groups. No significant difference in humoral immunity was found between the control groups. One year after initial re-exposure to VZV, VZV-immune adults showed a rise in cellular response as assessed by IFN-γ ELISPOT, and steady-state levels for the humoral response.
authors: Centre for Health Economics Research and Modeling Infectious Diseases (CHERMID), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. benson.ogunjimi@ua.ac.be
authors: Benson
authors: B
authors: Ogunjimi
authors: Evelien
authors: E
authors: Smits
authors: Niel
authors: N
authors: Hens
authors: Annick
authors: A
authors: Hens
authors: Kevin
authors: K
authors: Lenders
authors: Margareta
authors: M
authors: Ieven
authors: Viggo
authors: V
authors: Van Tendeloo
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Van Damme
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Beutels
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007371:Interferon-gamma