Antibodies to the three major glycoproteins of varicella-zoster virus: search for the relevant host immune response.

Clinical manifestations of chickenpox have occurred in individuals known to have seroconverted after vaccination against varicella. To determine whether these "breakthroughs" might be due to the absence of specific antibodies, we tested sera from vaccinees before or at the time of exposure to varicella for antibodies to the three major glycoproteins of varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Protection could not be correlated with the presence or level of any of these antibodies. Levels of antibodies to glycoproteins before onset of zoster were similar to those in sera of individuals who had had varicella previously and did not develop varicella after household exposure. Thus, protection against infections with VZV cannot be explained by the presence of specific antibodies to glycoproteins.