title: Seroepidemiology of varicella-zoster virus in Korean adolescents and adults using fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen test.
abstract: We conducted a cross-sectional seroepidemiological study in 2012-2013 to determine the seroprevalence of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in adolescents and adults living in Korea, where varicella vaccination has been recommended universally at age 12-15 months since 2005. Residual serum samples were collected from 1196 healthy adults and adolescents aged ⩾10 years between November 2012 and March 2013. The fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen (FAMA) test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were performed to determine the seroprevalence of VZV. The seroprevalences of VZV were compared between six age groups: 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and ⩾60 years. The seroprevalence of VZV in the entire study cohort was 99·1% according to the FAMA test and 93·1% as determined by ELISA. The seroprevalences of the six age groups were as follows: 96·0%, 99·5%, 99·5%, 99·5%, 100%, and 100%, respectively, by the FAMA test, and 83·3%, 93·0%, 93·0%, 97·5%, 94·5%, and 97·5%, respectively, by ELISA. Seroprevalence increased significantly with age (P < 0·001); moreover, the seroprevalence in subjects aged 10-19 years was significantly lower than in other age groups (P < 0·001), as measured by both the FAMA test and ELISA. Thus, strategies to increase protective immunity against VZV in teenagers are necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics,College of Medicine,The Catholic University of Korea,Seoul,Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Vaccine Bio Research Institute,College of Medicine,The Catholic University of Korea,Seoul,Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Vaccine Bio Research Institute,College of Medicine,The Catholic University of Korea,Seoul,Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Huh
authors.affiliation: Vaccine Bio Research Institute,College of Medicine,The Catholic University of Korea,Seoul,Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics,College of Medicine,The Catholic University of Korea,Seoul,Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics,College of Medicine,The Catholic University of Korea,Seoul,Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics,Changwon Fatima Hospital,Changwon,Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007159:Immunologic Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine
keywords: varicella-zoster virus