Varicella
Zoster Antibodies after Herpes Zoster, Varicella and Multiple
Sclerosis
R.T.
Ross, L.E. Nicolle, M.R. Dawood, Mary Cheang and C. Feschuk
Abstract:
Background: We previously showed that Manitoba
Hutterites seek physician care for varicella zoster virus
infection significantly less than non-Hutterites. The current
study was undertaken to measure varicella zoster virus seroprevalence
for Hutterite and non-Hutterite controls. Methods: Blood
was obtained from 3l5 Hutterites and 259 similar age and sex
controls at the time of blood donations to The Canadian Red
Cross Society. The controls were from the same or a contiguous
postal code area and were collected at the same time as the
Hutterite samples. The immune status of the specimens was
determined by the ELISA method (enzyme linked immunosorbent
assay). Results: Twenty-eight per cent of 3l5
Hutterites had no immunity and an additional 25% had only
marginal immunity. Among the 259 controls, l0% had no immunity
and an additional l0% had only marginal immunity (p < .000l).
Conclusions: Manitoba Hutterites have significantly
decreased seroprevalence to varicella zoster virus infection.
This study of serum varicella zoster virus antibodies verifies
a previous population based study that demonstrated the relative
rarity of varicella and herpes zoster among a particular population
group.
