Evaluation of Varicella Immunity during Pregnancy in Apulia Region, Southern Italy

Abstract

Varicella is a highly contagious, infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Those at higher risk of severe complications are immunocompromised individuals, adults, non-immune pregnant women, and newborns. According to the gestational time, when varicella-zoster virus infection is acquired during pregnancy, serious complications can potentially occur for both the woman and the fetus. The present study was conducted to assess the profile of varicella susceptibility in pregnant women in Apulia, a large region in Southern Italy, from 2016 to 2019. The data showed that pregnant women between the age of 15–24 and 40–49 years, the youngest and the oldest, respectively, are the most protected against varicella-zoster virus infection, exceeding the prevalence rate of 90%. Conversely, pregnant women between the age of 25 and 34 years seem to be the most vulnerable and the most at risk for acquiring varicella-zoster virus infection during pregnancy. Analysis of the immunity status against varicella should be introduced as a screening test before pregnancy, together with a strategic vaccination campaign targeting non-immune women of childbearing age, in order to reduce the risk of congenital and perinatal varicella.

Long -term persistence of antibodies against varicella in fully immunized healthcare workers: an Italian retrospective cohort study

“…The aims of this study were to evaluate the seroprevalence of circulating anti-VZV IgG in a sample of young adult HCWs, the long-term immunogenicity of the varicella vaccine, and the effectiveness of a strategy consisting of a third vaccine booster dose administered to previously immunized adults without detectable IgG against VZV. The study was carried out in Apulia (southern Italy,˜4,000,000 inhabitants), a region where previous surveys found a relatively high (7-12%) prevalence of adults susceptible to VZV [15,16] and where varicella outbreaks have been recorded [17].…”

Peculiarities of the Prevalence of Intrauterine Infections at the Present Stage

“…In economically developed countries, only a few cases of IUI caused by these viruses have been reported. According to the literature, 96.9% of pregnant women in Italy had antibodies against measles [15], 91.1% against chickenpox [16], and 98.6% of pregnant women in Norway were seropositive for chickenpox virus [17]. Despite effective vaccination strategies, unfortunately, there is currently a trend of mistrust and fear of vaccine safety, and the spread of misconceptions related to vaccine science has led to a relative resurgence of these infectious diseases in economically developed countries [18].…”