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Seroprevalence of Varicella Zoster Infection at Provincial Level in Iranian Adolescents: The Caspian-Iii Study Publisher



Mostafavi SN1 ; Hoseini SG2 ; Kelishadi R1 ; Ataei B3 ; Safari O4 ; Yaran M5 ; Motlagh ME6 ; Heshmat R7 ; Madady A8 ; Ardalan G1 ; Mohammadi R9 ; Tajadini MH1 ; Qorbani M10, 11
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Pediatrics Department, Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  2. 2. Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  3. 3. Nosocomial Infection Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  4. 4. Pediatrics Department, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
  5. 5. Acquired Immunodeficiency Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  6. 6. Pediatrics Department, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
  7. 7. Chronic Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  8. 8. Student Research Committee, Alborz University of Medical Science, Karaj, Iran
  9. 9. Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  10. 10. Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
  11. 11. Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Archives of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Published:2017


Abstract

Background: Although primary varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection (chicken pox) is a mild childhood disease, it can cause severe infection with complications in adults. As the disease is preventable by effective vaccination, it is important to determine the level of immunity to VZV in every region to implement proper vaccination strategies. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of VZV infection in adolescents living in different provinces of Iran. Methods: In a cross-sectional multicentre study, serum samples from 2315 students, aged 10 - 18 years, were examined for VZV antibodies (IgM/IgG). Students were selected by multistage cluster sampling during a national surveillance program. Results: Prevalence of VZV antibodies was statistically different in various provinces of Iran (P = 0.001); it ranged from 82.4% in Isfahan, Center of Iran, to 98.5% in Mazandaran, North of the country. The VZV seroprevalence was not significantly different by gender, except for Khuzestan, South of Iran, where antibodies were much more prevalent in girls (92.7%) than in boys (78.3%, P = 0.004). Seroprevalence was not significantly different according to the living area (urban/rural). Conclusions: VZV seroprevalence is different in various provinces of Iran; the susceptibility of adult population to VZV infection is suggested to be high in Ardabil, Isfahan, and Kermanshah; and low in Kerman and Mazandaran. Therefore, different strategies should be implemented in each province to protect high-risk adults from severe varicella infection. © 2017, Archives of Pediatric Infectious Diseases.