Seroprevalence and force of infection of varicella-zoster virus in Luxembourg

Epidemiol Infect. 2004 Dec;132(6):1121-7. doi: 10.1017/s0950268804002754.

Abstract

A serological prevalence survey was carried out in Luxembourg during 2000-2001 to determine the antibody status of the Luxembourg population against vaccine-preventable infections including varicella-zoster virus (VZV). ELISA tests performed on 2679 sera indicated that 96 (3.6%) of the study population were seronegative. Age-specific seroprevalence rose rapidly from approximately 70% at age 4 years to 90% at age 6 years to 95% at age 12 years. Significant heterogeneity of seroprevalence was observed between the six different primary schools. For age groups 0-5, 6-11 and 12+ years, we estimated an annual force of infection of 0.361 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31-0.415)], 0.204 (95% CI 0.12-0.29) and 0.05 (95% CI 0.024-0.082) respectively. Our results indicate that transmission of VZV is highest in children below the age of 6 years and that much lower levels of VZV transmission occur in secondary schools and throughout adulthood.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis*
  • Chickenpox / epidemiology*
  • Chickenpox / immunology*
  • Chickenpox / transmission
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Herpesvirus 3, Human / pathogenicity*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Luxembourg / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral