SEROPREVALENCE OF VARICELLA ZOSTER VIRUS IMMUNOGLOBULIN G ANTIBODY AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN THE PLEVEN REGION, BULGARIA

The purpose of this study was to assess the immunity against Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) among pregnant women in the Pleven Region, Bulgaria. Material/Methods Cross-sectional study was carried out. After informed consent, 251 women were hospitalized in a Clinic of obstetrics and gynecology at the University hospital in Pleven, Bulgaria. From every participant 5 ml blood was obtained, and all serum samples were tested by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). NovaLisa Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV), ELISA Kit (NovaTec Immunodiagnostica GmsH) for detection of VZV Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody and UVmax kinetic microplate reader were used. Demographic characteristics of participants were collected by interview. Data were managed in Microsoft Excel 2007 and analyzed using Statgraphics software. Results VZV IgG antibodies positive were detected in 178/251 (70.92%) of the women. Forty-four (17.53%) of all women were VZV IgG antibodies negative, and 29/251 (11.55%) were considered as equivocal. In women up to 20 years of age (n=33), 19(57.57%) samples were positive. In women aged between 20 and 30 years of age (n=138), 99 (71.74%) positive samples were found. In women aged more than over 30 years (n=80), 59 (73.75%) were positive. In all three age groups sero-negative women were found, but the highest relative share was in the age group up to 20 years -21.21% Conclusions Seroprevalence of VZV serum IgG antibodies is comparatively high among pregnant women. Established seronegative women have a potential risk of natural infection and its transmission to the fetus.