Seroprevalence of varicella-zoster virus among pregnant women in Fayoum Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

BackgroundChickenpox infection acquired during pregnancy is a serious condition. There may be congenital malformations and neonatal varicella syndrome with significant morbidity and mortality. Egypt has no routine varicella-zoster vaccination program.ObjectiveTo assess the immune status against varicella-zoster virus (VZV) antibodies among a group of pregnant women and to study the relationship between VZV seroprevalence and some sociodemographic characteristics.Subjects and methodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on a group of pregnant women (n = 333) attending antenatal care (ANC) clinic at Fayoum University Hospital. Serologic testing for VZV was performed using ELISA through the years 2016–2017.ResultsVZV seroprevalence was detected in 294 (88.3%) of the 333 recruited pregnant women. Older age > 25 years old was significantly associated with low percent of VZV-negative antibodies (6.7% in versus 17.4% in younger age, OR (95%CI) 0.34 (0.17–0.70)), also having more than one child was significantly associated with a low percent of VZV-negative antibodies (8.2% versus 16.1% among participants with no children or having one child, OR 0.34 (0.17–0.70)).ConclusionsDespite the absence of a routine VZV vaccination program in Egypt, VZV immunity was high among pregnant women, but less than that reported in many developed countries. We recommend targeted vaccination for women in the reproductive age especially young and primipara.Trial registrationEthical Committee Registration number R67 session 42: date 12/11/2017(retrospectively registered).

Evaluation of Varicella Immunity during Pregnancy in Apulia Region, Southern Italy

“…While the prevalence of susceptible pregnant women in the current study is similar to other studies [ 19 , 20 ] and higher than in Northern European countries [ 16 , 19 , 21 ], it is lower than in other populations (i.e., in Sri Lanka) [ 22 ]. These differences in seroprevalence could be related to the country of birth, the country in which childhood is spent and educational level [ 19 , 22 ].…”

High susceptibility to varicella among urban and rural pregnant women in South India: a brief report

“…Our study highlights high VZV susceptibility, especially among younger, rural pregnant women in southern India. It also mirrors data from others regarding the high proportion of the susceptible population in India and other South Asian countries [11][12][13][14]. This epidemiological pattern is also reflected by the high burden of varicella-zoster among young adults during epidemics [5,6,15].…”

“…It also mirrors data from others regarding the high proportion of the susceptible population in India and other South Asian countries. [11][12][13][14] This epidemiological pattern is also reflected by the high burden of varicella-zoster among young adults during epidemics. [5,6,15] Ongoing varicella transmission, through early adulthood, ensures near-complete protection The poor PPV of self-reported history is an important finding from our study.…”

“…Epidemiological studies in developing countries reveal that a significant proportion (Sri Lanka – 34%, Iran – 10. 7%, Egypt – 11.7%) of patients may remain susceptible during pregnancy [ 11 – 13 ]. As for our knowledge, varicella susceptibility rate and positive predictive value (PPV) of the history of chickenpox among pregnant women have not been evaluated in the Indian subcontinent.…”

Surto de varicela entre imigrantes venezuelanos alojados em abrigos e ocupações no estado de Roraima, 2019: um estudo descritivo

“…4 O grande número de pessoas que dividiam a mesma habitação, em sua maioria não vacinados ou fora da idade para receber a vacina tetraviral, pode ter contribuído para a manutenção dos casos de varicela nos abrigos e ocupações, corroborando os resultados de um trabalho realizado no Egito, no período de 2016 a 2017, quando se concluiu que a incidência da varicela é influenciada pela densidade populacional. 19 A administração massiva de imunoglobulina em crianças menores de 9 meses e gestantes, além da intensificação vacinal, foi estratégica no sentido de interromper a transmissão da doença e evitar complicações entre crianças menores de 9 meses, assim como possíveis defeitos congênitos fetais. Tal medida, da maneira como foi conduzida em Roraima, foi identificada em um estudo realizado no ano de 2012, durante um surto de varicela entre imigrantes africanos; na ocasião, considerou-se adequada e necessária a vacinação precoce para todos, em um cenário de surto em ambientes fechados.…”