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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, December 2004, p. 5698-5704, Vol. 42, No. 12
0095-1137/04/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JCM.42.12.5698-5704.2004
Copyright © 2004, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Varicella Seroprevalence and Molecular Epidemiology of Varicella-Zoster Virus in Argentina, 2002

Gustavo H. Dayan,1* María S. Panero,2 Roberto Debbag,3 Ana Urquiza,4 Marta Molina,5 Susana Prieto,6 María del Carmen Perego,7 Graciela Scagliotti,8 Diana Galimberti,9 Guillermo Carroli,10 Cristina Wolff,11 D. Scott Schmid,12 Vladimir Loparev,12 Dalya Guris,1 and Jane Seward1

Epidemiology and Surveillance DivisionNational Immunization Program,1 Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia,12 Vigi+A Program, Ministry of Health,2 Fundación Centro de Estudios Infectológicos, Garrahan Hospital,3 Sardá Maternity Hospital,7 Pirovano Hospital,8 Alvarez Hospital,9 Ministry of Health, Buenos Aires,11 Direction of Primary Care, Salta,4 Lagomaggiore Hospital,5 Scaravelli Hospital, Tunuyán, Mendoza,6 Martin Maternity Hospital, Rosario, Argentina,10

Received 22 May 2004/ Returned for modification 6 July 2004/ Accepted 6 August 2004

There is limited data on immunity against varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in adults in different parts of Argentina, and it is not known which VZV strains are circulating in Argentina. The objectives of this study were as follows: (i) to evaluate seroprevalence of varicella among adults, assessing the accuracy of clinical history and determining the sociodemographic factors associated with seropositivity; and (ii) to determine the VZV strains circulating in Argentina. A cross-sectional serological survey enrolling 2,807 women aged 15 to 49 years attending public health-care settings in four cities in Argentina (i.e., Buenos Aires, Salta, Mendoza, and Rosario) and one rural area was conducted from August to November 2002. Specimens for identification of VZV strains were obtained from vesicular lesions from 13 pediatric patients with varicella from different areas of the country. PCR amplification was used for genotyping. The overall seroprevalence of varicella antibodies was 98.5% (95% confidence interval, 98.0 to 98.9), ranging from 97.2% in central Buenos Aires to 99.3% in southern Buenos Aires and Salta. Varicella seroprevalence increased with age. Crowding and length of residence in the same place were associated with seropositivity. The positive predictive value of varicella history for immunity to varicella was 99.4%; however, the negative predictive value was 2.5%. The European genotype was identified in all viral specimens. In Argentina, seroprevalence in women more than 15 years old was high regardless of the area of residence. Negative or uncertain varicella history was not a good predictor of immunity. VZV genotype was stable in all areas of the country.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MS E-61, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30333. Phone: (404) 639-3002. Fax: (404) 639-8665. E-mail: gdayan{at}cdc.gov.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, December 2004, p. 5698-5704, Vol. 42, No. 12
0095-1137/04/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JCM.42.12.5698-5704.2004
Copyright © 2004, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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