Survey of antibody level against varicella-zoster virus in healthy population in Licheng district, Jinan

Objective To understand the antibody levels to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) inhealthy population in Licheng district, Jinan, find out susceptible population and provide evidence for the prevention and control of varicella. Methods enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to detect VZV-IgG antibody. Results A total of 547 people aged 1-85 years were surveyed, and the average age was (22.94 20.20) years old. The VZV-IgG positive rate was 64.53% (353/547). The age-specific VZV-IgG positive rates were 26.74%, 29.69%, 59.78%, 50.00%, 73.68%, 71.11%, 95.16%, 91.18% and 97.18% in age groups 1-3 years, 4-6 years, 7-9 years, 10-14 years, 15-19 years, 20-29 years, 30-39 years, 40-49 years and50 years, respectively. There was significant difference in VZV-IgG positive rate among different age groups (2=173.33, P0.05). The varicella vaccination rate was 43.62% in people aged14 years. During 2006-2013,the annual average incidence of varicella was higher in people aged14 years(322.82/100 000), but lower in older age group, consistent with the age specific antibody levels to VZV. Among the varicella cases, those aged14 years accounted for 70.27%, and those aged 15-29 years accounted for 27.50%. Conclusion Children aged14 years are susceptible to varicella. It is necessary to increase varicella vaccination coverage and improve the herd immunity in this population to prevent varicella, and close attention should also paid to the increase of varicella in people aged15 years.