The differences in short- and long-term varicella-zoster virus (VZV) immunoglobulin G levels following varicella vaccination of healthcare workers measured by VZV fluorescent-antibody-to-membrane-antigen assay (FAMA), VZV time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay and a VZV purified glycoprotein enzyme immunoassay.

Abstract

Healthcare workers (HCWs) reporting no history of varicella frequently receive varicella vaccination (vOka) if they test varicella-zoster virus (VZV) immunoglobulin G (IgG) negative. In this study, the utilities of VZV-IgG time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay (VZV-TRFIA) and a commercial VZV-IgG purified glycoprotein enzyme immunoassay (gpEIA) currently used in England for confirming VZV immunity have been compared to the fluorescent-antibody-to-membrane-antigen assay (FAMA). A total of 110 HCWs received two doses of vOka vaccine spaced 6 weeks apart and sera collected pre-vaccination (n = 100), at 6 weeks post-completion of vaccination (n = 86) and at 12-18 months follow-up (n = 73) were analysed. Pre-vaccination, by FAMA, 61·0% sera were VZV IgG negative, and compared to FAMA the sensitivities of VZV-TRFIA and gpEIA were 74·4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 57·9-87·0] and 46·2% (95% CI 30·1-62·8), respectively. Post-completion of vaccination the seroconversion rate by FAMA was 93·7% compared to rates of 95·8% and 70·8% determined by VZV-TRFIA and gpEIA, respectively. At 12-18 months follow-up seropositivity rates by FAMA, VZV-TRFIA and gpEIA were 78·1%, 74·0% and 47·9%, respectively. Compared to FAMA the sensitivities of VZV-TRFIA and gpEIA for measuring VZV IgG following vaccination were 96·4% (95% CI 91·7-98·8) and 74·6% (95% CI 66·5-81·6), respectively. Using both FAMA and VZV-TRFIA to identify healthy adult VZV susceptibles and measure seroconversion showed that vOka vaccination of HCWs is highly immunogenic.

• Authors: P A C Maple, J Haedicke, M Quinlivan, S P Steinberg, A A Gershon, K E Brown, J Breuer
• Journal: Epidemiology and infection (Epidemiol Infect) Vol. 144 Issue 11 Pg. 2345-53 (Aug 2016) ISSN: 1469-4409 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 27018820 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Viral
• Chickenpox Vaccine
• Immunoglobulin G

Topics

• Adult
• Antibodies, Viral (blood)
• Chickenpox Vaccine (immunology)
• Fluorescent Antibody Technique
• Fluoroimmunoassay
• Health Personnel (statistics & numerical data)
• Herpesvirus 3, Human (immunology)
• Humans
• Immunoenzyme Techniques
• Immunoglobulin G (blood)
• Middle Aged
• Young Adult