Seroprevalence of Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection among Primary School Children in Kaduna State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out in the three geopolitical zone of Kaduna State; comprising Makarfi (Kaduna North) Kagarko (Kaduna South) and Igabi (Kaduna Central). A total of 353 serum samples collected; were tested VZV Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using a commercial IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The overall seroprevalence rate was 66.3. Seroprevalence was 51.4in the age group of 4-6 years; 64.7in 7-9 years; 68.4in 10-12 years and 70.0in 13-15 years. The seroprevalence rate of VZV increased with age. There was significant relation between the presence of VZV antibodies and age (P = 0.000). There was no significance difference between the presence of VZV antibodies and sex (P = 0.48). This data show that the younger age group could be considered as a target group for prevention programs against VZV infection