One single-center cross-sectional investigation on varicella antibody level of all age groups in Chinese people

Abstract

Varicella outbreaks were mainly reported in developed regions with high vaccine coverage, but not in undeveloped areas. It is still not clear that whether the published data of varicella epidemiology could reflect the reality in China or not. In 2019, 657 subjects from People's Hospital of Chongqing Youyang County were included. Anti-varicella-zoster virus (VZV) IgG antibodies were determined by ELISA. The anti-VZV IgG levels were categorized as positive when values were ≥100 mIU/mL. Our results showed that the rates of anti-VZV IgG seropositivity (χ 2 = 328.957, P < .0001) and geometric mean titers (P < .0001) were significantly influenced by age. The seropositivity declined dramatically from 84.5% in subjects ≤3 m of age, to 7.9% in subjects of >3 m-1 y (P < .0001). Then, the positivity rate increased slowly as age to 26.7% in >1-<3 y (P = .0006), and 34.5% in 3-<7 y (P = .4294). A steady rise (45.6%) in positivity was observed in subjects aged 7-<18 y. After then, the positivity began to increase robustly. A total of 87.8% of adults aged 18-<40 y had acquired VZV-specific immunity (P < .0001). The highest positivity rate was found in 40-<60 y (98.3%) and ≥60 y (98.2%) group. In conclusion, most subjects of >3 m-<7 y age were susceptible to VZV. The proportion of subjects with natural infection-induced immunity increased with age. Nearly all subjects over 40 ages had positive anti-VZV IgG antibodies, which proved that they were infected by this virus in the past. These results suggested that VarV should be included in the national immunization program in China.

Vaccination against Varicella Zoster Virus Infection in Less Developed Regions of Guangdong, China: A Cross-Sectional Serosurveillance Study

“…However, the presence of anti-VZV IgG increased rapidly in teenagers and adults, reaching ~90% after >20–30 years. This was consistent with a cross-sectional investigation in China [ 31 ]. Regarding the lower vaccination rate in both cities, we believe this was due to natural infection with VZV, not persistent antibodies from VarV vaccination.…”

Case Report: Various Clinical Manifestations Caused by Varicella-Zoster Virus in a Family

“…In China, a varicella attenuated live vaccine (VarV) immunization of children was started from 1998, with single dose of varicella vaccination administrated at 12 months old. Since 2012, a second dose VarV has been recommended in developed cities and regions, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Heilongjiang, Shandong, and Fujian provinces ( 9 ). However, people received the vaccine at their own expense, and it was not included in the national immunization.…”