Chickenpox seroprevalence among children in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the causative agent of chickenpox and shingles can cause severe systemic infections of the central nervous system and the respiratory tract in immunocompetent individuals as well as in immunocompromised patients. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the seroprevalence of VZV IgG antibody in nursery and primary school children aged 4-15 years in Kaduna state. Blood samples were obtained from pupils whose parents consented. Their sera were separated by centrifugation at 1500 rpm, stored at -20ºC, and analyzed using a commercial kit to assay for VZV IgG levels via enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Information about the pupil¿s demographic factors and other variables were obtained through a questionnaire. A total of 353 serum samples were collected. The overall seroprevalence rate was 66.3%. Prevalence of antibodies is 68.5% in males, 63.9% in females. The age group of 4-6 had the lowest prevalence of 60% and 41.2% for males and females respectively; while those of 13-15 years age had the highest value of 71.2% and 69.0% for males and females respectively.