Prevalence of antibodies to varicella zoster virus in healthy adults.

A serological study of immunity to varicella zoster was carried out using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 244 healthy adult laboratory staff members. The overall immunity was 90%, with a progressive increase from 81% at 20-29 years to 100% at 60 years. Approximately one-third of serologically immune individuals had no certain history of varicella. As the serological test is simple, rapid and reliable, screening for immunity should be carried out in at-risk individuals such as immunosuppressed patients, pregnant women, and laboratory and medical patients, pregnant women, and laboratory and medical personnel who come into contact with sources of virus. Definition of serological status will aid in the rational planning of intervention procedures such as epidemiological control and administration of varicella zoster immune globulin and, when it becomes available, varicella vaccine.