Varicella Zoster Virus Spicific IgG Antibody Titer in Vaccinated and Infected Children

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Varicella is mild self limited disease with vesicular skin eruption but highly contagious and accompanied many complications. Especially, varicella is fatal in leukemic children and immunocompromised children. The live varicella zoster virus was first developed by Takahashi et al. in the 1974. This vaccine has now been licensed for general use in Europe and the United States as well as in Korea. The porpose of this study was to estimate the VZV IgG antibody titer and evaluate the efficacy of vaccination. METHODS: The VZV IgG antibody titers were estimated in 246 healthy children, 32 vacccinated and 43 naturally infected children by FAMA method. In some children of the these groups, VZV specific IgG subclasses were estimated by ELISA method. RESULTS: 1) In 246 healthy children, VZV IgG antibody titers were increased according to the age. 2) The positive rates VZV IgG antibody titer according to age were lowest at 1 to 2 years of the age with 22.4% and highest at 6 to 7 years of the age with 77.7%. 3) Comparing of the VZV IgG antibody titer in each groups according to the age, in children ranging from 1 year to 5 years of age, the VZV IgG antibody titer in vaccinated group was significantly increased compared with control group(p<0.05). In children over 6 years old, the VZV IgG antibody titer in disease groups was significantly increased compared with control group(p<0.05). 4) The VZV IgG antibody titers were decreased according to the duration after infection. 5) VZV specific IgG1 between control group and other groups were statistically different(p<0.05). IgG3 in infected group was significantly increased compared with control group(p<0.05). IgG4 in vaccinated group was significantly increased compared with control group(p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The live attenuated vaccine is recommended for preventing of varicella infection, but further evaluation and longterm follow up are necessary for protective efficacy of the VZV vaccine and about the VZV specific IgG subclass.