Investigation of varicella zoster virus seroprevalance in our region

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a herpes virus that causes two separate clinical diseases. Varicella is a disease with a vascular rash and remains latent for decades after recovery. When activation occurs, shingles is seen. In this study, it was aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Varicella zoster virus (VZV) in Gaziantep province. 96 Turkish and foreign nationals living in Gaziantep and Kilis provinces were included in the study, of which 47 (48.95%) were female and 49 (51,05%) were male. Of the volunteers included in the study, 92 (95.83%) VZV IgG positive, 4 (4.17%) VZV IgG negative, 1 (1.05%) VZV IgM positive, 95 (98.95%) VZV IgM negative. It was observed that VZV IgG positivity was higher in women than men, but the difference between the groups was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference in terms of VZV IgG positivity according to age. All of those who had chickenpox or were vaccinated (n = 69; 100%) were VZV IgG positive, and 23 (85.2%) of those who did not have chickenpox or were not vaccinated. When evaluated in terms of VZV IgM, all (100.0%) of those with chickenpox or vaccination status were negative, 1 (3.7%) of those who did not have chickenpox or vaccination status were positive, and 26 (96.3%) were negative. VZV IgG positivity was found to be significantly higher in those who had chickenpox or were vaccinated. Although VZV IgG positivity was higher in Kilis residents (foreign nationals), it was seen that there was no significant difference between Gaziantep residents (Turkish) and VZV IgG positivity. There was no significant difference in terms of VZV IgG positivity according to the presence of chronic disease or not.