title: Exposure to Varicella Zoster Virus is higher in children with autism spectrum disorder than in healthy controls. Results from a case-control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of central nervous system disorders lacking a definite etiology. The aim of the present study was to compare the exposure rate and titer of antibodies to Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) in children with ASD and in healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 54 children with ASD and 46 control individuals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The exposure rate and titer of anti-VZV antibodies were significantly higher in children with ASD compared to controls (59% vs. 39% and 694 mIU/ml vs. 94 mIU/ml, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the present case-control study, exposure to VZV was found to be independently associated with ASD.
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery-Section of Infectious Diseases, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy ivan.gentile@unina.it.
authors: Ivan
authors: I
authors: Gentile
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery-Section of Infectious Diseases, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Emanuela
authors: E
authors: Zappulo
authors: Department of Medical Translational Science, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Raffaele
authors: R
authors: Bonavolta
authors: Mental Health and Public Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: Maresca
authors: Mental Health and Public Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Maria Pia
authors: MP
authors: Riccio
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery-Section of Infectious Diseases, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Antonio Riccardo
authors: AR
authors: Buonomo
authors: Department of Medical Translational Science, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Portella
authors: Department of Medical Translational Science, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Settimi
authors: Mental Health and Public Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Pascotto
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery-Section of Infectious Diseases, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Guglielmo
authors: G
authors: Borgia
authors: Department of Medical Translational Science, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Carmela
authors: C
authors: Bravaccio
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000276:immunology*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G
keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; VZV; etiopathogenesis; prevalence; titre