title: Seroepidemiologic survey of varicella-zoster virus in korean adults using glycoprotein enzyme immuno assay and fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen test.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Herpes zoster (HZ) occurs mainly in the elderly and Korea is rapidly becoming an aging society. Therefore, it is important to know the immune status against varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in Korean adults to prevent the disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to survey the immune status of Korean adults over 40 years of age against VZV.
  
  
  METHODS
  Antibody titer was measured using a VaccZyme™ VZV glycoprotein enzyme immunoassay (gpEIA) (Binding Site, UK). Fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen (FAMA) test was performed to measure the seropositive rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HZ incidence in the 214 adults enrolled in this study was 10.3%. The gpEIA geometric mean titer (GMT) was 490 mIU/ml and 90.2% of the subjects had a protective level of gpEIA antibody titer against varicella. The average gpEIA GMT of adults who previously had HZ was 1,122 mIU/ml, which was higher than the average gpEIA GMT of 457 mIU/ml in adults who had not had HZ. The FAMA positive rate was 98.6%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most (90.2%) Korean adults ≥40-years-of-age have a protective level of gpEIA antibody against varicella and 98.6% were FAMA seropositive. The GMT of gpEIA antibody was significantly increased with age, and was higher in adults with a history of HZ.
authors: Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Korea.
authors: Yun Hwa
authors: YH
authors: Kim
authors: Ji Young
authors: JY
authors: Hwang
authors: Kyung Min
authors: KM
authors: Lee
authors: Jin Hee
authors: JH
authors: Choi
authors: Tae Yoon
authors: TY
authors: Lee
authors: Jong Soo
authors: JS
authors: Choi
authors: Ho Sun
authors: HS
authors: Park