title: Varicella zoster virus in American Samoa: seroprevalence and predictive value of varicella disease history in elementary and college students.
abstract: The epidemiology of varicella is believed to differ between temperate and tropical countries. We conducted a varicella seroprevalence study in elementary and college students in the US territory of American Samoa before introduction of a routine varicella vaccination programme. Sera from 515 elementary and 208 college students were tested for the presence of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) IgG antibodies. VZV seroprevalence increased with age from 76·0% in the 4-6 years group to 97·7% in those aged ⩾23 years. Reported history of varicella disease for elementary students was significantly associated with VZV seropositivity. The positive and negative predictive values of varicella disease history were 93·4% and 36·4%, respectively, in elementary students and 97·6% and 3·0%, respectively, in college students. VZV seroprevalence in this Pacific island appears to be similar to that in temperate countries and suggests endemic VZV circulation.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mahamud
authors.affiliation: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Immunization Program, American Samoa Department of Health, LBJ Tropical Medical Center, Pago Pago, American Samoa, USA.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Masunu-Faleafaga
authors.affiliation: National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Teshale
authors.affiliation: Epidemic Intelligence Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dulski
authors.affiliation: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thieme
authors.affiliation: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.affiliation: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.affiliation: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Bialek
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D018948:American Samoa / Q000453:epidemiology; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G
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