title: Seroprevalence of varicella-zoster virus in the prevaccine era: a population-based study in Izmir, Turkey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the population-based seroprevalence of varicella zoster virus (VZV) and related risk factors in Izmir.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based household survey was conducted. A representative sample of the population older than 15 years of age was selected using multistage random sampling. A total of 2136 healthy persons participated in this cross-sectional study. The participants completed a questionnaire designed to collect data related to socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors. Blood samples were collected, and VZV-specific IgG was measured using an ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 94.3% of individuals were seropositive for VZV. The difference between VZV seroprevalence in urban and rural populations was significant (OR: 2.6 (95% CI, 1.7-3.8)). No statistically significant differences in seropositivity were observed with respect to other sociodemographic characteristics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A large proportion of the participants were found to be immune to VZV.
authors.affiliation: Izmir Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sükran
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kose
authors.forename: Aliye
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mandiracioglu
authors.forename: Süheyla Serin
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Senger
authors.forename: Yıldız
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ulu
authors.forename: Gulsun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cavdar
authors.forename: Basak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gol
authors.forename: Ilhan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gurbuz
authors.forename: Senol
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sariavci
authors.forename: Nese
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nohutcu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G