Varicella Zoster antibodies among health care workers in a university hospital, Teheran, Iran

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the immune status of health care workers against varicella zoster in a university hospital in Teheran, Iran, and to compare the history of chickenpox infection with the presence of varicella antibodies in this population. METHODS: Serologic testing for varicella was performed for 405 health care workers with different job categories and at different age. The enzyme immunoassay was used for determining IgG antibodies against varicella zoster virus. RESULTS: A total of 405 health care workers, aged 19-50 years (median: 29 years), were examined. Of these, 289 (71.4%) were found to be seropositive. No statistically significant differences were observed between gender, age, or occupation, and seropositivity (p = 0.09, 0.75, 0.54. respectively). Statistical analysis revealed that the correlation between chickenpox history and seropositivity showed a 62.3% sensitivity, 72.4% specificity, 84.9% positive predictive value, and 43.5% negative predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: Serologic screening of health care workers is essential to determine their immunity to varicella, regardless of the age, occupation and history of infection. This population is recommended to be considered a target group for future immunization programs in Iran.