Hospital-based seroepidemiological analysis of varicella antibodies in children without history of varicella disease

Zhongyang Zhang; Zengsheng Chen; Xiaofan Li; Ping Hu; Sicheng Hao; Sitong Liu; Feng Yang

doi:10.3855/jidc.20424

Hospital-based seroepidemiological analysis of varicella antibodies in children without history of varicella disease

Authors

Zhongyang Zhang Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4369-3202
Zengsheng Chen Qingdao Municipal Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, China https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7454-4228
Xiaofan Li Qingdao Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Qingdao Institute of Preventive Medicine, Qingdao, China https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1612-5647
Ping Hu Qingdao Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Qingdao Institute of Preventive Medicine, Qingdao, China https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5201-893X
Sicheng Hao Qingdao Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Qingdao Institute of Preventive Medicine, Qingdao, China https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6516-591X
Sitong Liu Qingdao Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Qingdao Institute of Preventive Medicine, Qingdao, China https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1549-5707
Feng Yang Qingdao Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Qingdao Institute of Preventive Medicine, Qingdao, China https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9013-5984

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.20424

Keywords:

varicella, seropositivity, IgG, vaccine, antibody

Abstract

Introduction: There are no published studies on the anti-varicella zoster virus (VZV) IgG antibody status of children in Qingdao. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate anti-VZV antibody status in hospital-based children aged 0–13 years without a history of varicella disease.

Methodology: Children aged 0–13 years in Qingdao were included in the study population. The demographic data and vaccination histories of all the subjects were obtained from the Shandong Information System for Immunization Program. Varicella disease history data was obtained from the Chinese Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for detecting anti-VZV IgG in serum samples, and the seropositivity rate and geometric mean concentration (GMC) of the antibody were analyzed.

Results: A total of 983 children were included in the study. The seropositivity rate was 55.04%, and the GMC was 121.74 mIU/mL. The seropositivity rate and antibody GMC were significantly higher in females than in males (p < 0.05) and significantly higher in children aged 4–6 years than in children aged < 4 years and 7–13 years (p < 0.001). The seropositivity rate and GMC in children increased with vaccine dose (p < 0.001). In contrast to the considerable decline in antibody levels 3–5 years after one dose of varicella vaccination, antibody levels observed at least 8 years after two doses of varicella vaccination showed no considerable decline.

Conclusions: Two-dose varicella vaccination is recommended for inclusion in China’s national immunization program.

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Published

2025-03-31

How to Cite

Zhang Z, Chen Z, Li X, Hu P, Hao S, Liu S, Yang F (2025) Hospital-based seroepidemiological analysis of varicella antibodies in children without history of varicella disease. J Infect Dev Ctries 19:452–457. doi: 10.3855/jidc.20424

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Issue

Vol. 19 No. 03: March 2025

Section

Original Articles

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