BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster (HZ) occurs mainly in the elderly and Korea is rapidly becoming an aging society. Therefore, it is important to know the immune status against varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in Korean adults to prevent the disease. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to survey the immune status of Korean adults over 40 years of age against VZV. METHODS: Antibody titer was measured using a VaccZyme™ VZV glycoprotein enzyme immunoassay (gpEIA) (Binding Site, UK). Fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen (FAMA) test was performed to measure the seropositive rate. RESULTS: HZ incidence in the 214 adults enrolled in this study was 10.3%. The gpEIA geometric mean titer (GMT) was 490 mIU/ml and 90.2% of the subjects had a protective level of gpEIA antibody titer against varicella. The average gpEIA GMT of adults who previously had HZ was 1,122 mIU/ml, which was higher than the average gpEIA GMT of 457 mIU/ml in adults who had not had HZ. The FAMA positive rate was 98.6%. CONCLUSION: Most (90.2%) Korean adults ≥40-years-of-age have a protective level of gpEIA antibody against varicella and 98.6% were FAMA seropositive. The GMT of gpEIA antibody was significantly increased with age, and was higher in adults with a history of HZ.
BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster (HZ) occurs mainly in the elderly and Korea is rapidly becoming an aging society. Therefore, it is important to know the immune status against varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in Korean adults to prevent the disease. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to survey the immune status of Korean adults over 40 years of age against VZV. METHODS: Antibody titer was measured using a VaccZyme™ VZV glycoprotein enzyme immunoassay (gpEIA) (Binding Site, UK). Fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen (FAMA) test was performed to measure the seropositive rate. RESULTS: HZ incidence in the 214 adults enrolled in this study was 10.3%. The gpEIA geometric mean titer (GMT) was 490 mIU/ml and 90.2% of the subjects had a protective level of gpEIA antibody titer against varicella. The average gpEIA GMT of adults who previously had HZ was 1,122 mIU/ml, which was higher than the average gpEIA GMT of 457 mIU/ml in adults who had not had HZ. The FAMA positive rate was 98.6%. CONCLUSION: Most (90.2%) Korean adults ≥40-years-of-age have a protective level of gpEIA antibody against varicella and 98.6% were FAMA seropositive. The GMT of gpEIA antibody was significantly increased with age, and was higher in adults with a history of HZ.
Authors: P J Provost; D L Krah; B J Kuter; D H Morton; T L Schofield; E H Wasmuth; C J White; W J Miller; R W Ellis Journal: Vaccine Date: 1991-02 Impact factor: 3.641
Authors: M J Levin; M N Oxman; J H Zhang; G R Johnson; H Stanley; A R Hayward; M J Caulfield; M R Irwin; J G Smith; J Clair; I S F Chan; H Williams; R Harbecke; R Marchese; S E Straus; A Gershon; A Weinberg Journal: J Infect Dis Date: 2008-03-15 Impact factor: 5.226
Authors: Barbara P Yawn; Patricia Saddier; Peter C Wollan; Jennifer L St Sauver; Marge J Kurland; Lina S Sy Journal: Mayo Clin Proc Date: 2007-11 Impact factor: 7.616