Varicella susceptibility among children and healthy adults in the United Arab Emirates.

The serological evidence of varicella zoster virus infection was determined among healthy individuals from infancy to 47 years of age living in this region. Of 648 people, 126 (19.4%) had no detectable antibody and were susceptible to infection. The overall adult seroprevalence rate was 81.3%. The rate among Emirati citizens increased with age; < 10 years, 45.8%; 11-20 years, 68.4%; 21-30 years, 89.5%; 31-40 years, 94.7%; and > 41 years, 88.9%. Adults from the Indian subcontinent and Philippines had variable prevalence rates and Sri Lankans living in the region were highly serosusceptible (35%). Because of the clinical impact of varicella in adult populations, vaccine prevention might be beneficial.