title: Varicella zoster virus infection occurs at a relatively young age in The Netherlands.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To date, there is no universal varicella vaccination in the Netherlands. We studied the seroprevalence of varicella zoster virus (VZV) specific antibodies and determinants for seropositivity among participants of a serosurveillance study, conducted in 2006/2007 among Dutch inhabitants 0-79 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serological testing of 6386 blood samples for VZV was performed with a fluorescent bead-based multiplex immunoassay. Seroprevalence and geometric mean concentration (GMC) were weighted for age, sex, ethnicity, and urbanization rate to the total Dutch population. Determinants for VZV seropositivity were identified among children younger than 6 years of age using a logistic regression model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall seroprevalence of VZV specific antibodies in the Dutch population was 94.6% (95% CI: 93.2-96.0%). This seroprevalence increased rapidly with age: at 6 years of age, more than 95% were seropositive. Determinants associated with lower VZV seropositivity were: young age, first-generation non-Dutch ethnicity, and low frequency of attendance at a day care center or nursery school. The GMC increased with age and was lower for women than for men from the age of 20 years onwards.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study confirmed that VZV infection occurs at a younger age in the Netherlands compared to other countries, which might explain the low disease burden due to varicella. Introduction of universal varicella vaccination is not a foregone conclusion in the Netherlands. Changes in migration and day care usage will influence the age-specific risk on varicella and should therefore be monitored. Further research might elucidate the sex differences in VZV specific GMC.
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Surveillance, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), The Netherlands. Electronic address: alies.van.lier@rivm.nl.
authors: Alies
authors: A
authors: van Lier
authors: Gaby
authors: G
authors: Smits
authors: Liesbeth
authors: L
authors: Mollema
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Waaijenborg
authors: Guy
authors: G
authors: Berbers
authors: Fiona
authors: F
authors: van der Klis
authors: Hein
authors: H
authors: Boot
authors: Jacco
authors: J
authors: Wallinga
authors: Hester
authors: H
authors: de Melker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002656:Child Day Care Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral
keywords: Chickenpox; Epidemiology; Serosurveillance; Vaccination; Varicella zoster virus