Susceptibility of New Entrant University Students in Sri Lanka to Varicella Zoster Infection

Kurukulasooriya, G.M.P.C.P.; Thevanesam, Vasanthi; Agampodi, Suneth; Abeykoon, A. M. S. B.; Amarasiri, S.P.; Goonasekera, K.P.C.

doi:10.1177/1010539509334625

Cited by 13 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…In contrast to the current study findings, a study carried out in the Colombo District had less than ½ of the females in the child bearing agewere positive for anti-VZV IgG [16]. On the other hand, the new entrant students of the University of Peradeniya showed 49.1% sero-prevalence for anti-VZV IgG [19] and a group of adolescents from the Kandy District showed a sero-prevalence of 34.0% for anti-VZV IgG [20]. Thus, the sero-prevalence rate noted for anti-VZV IgG in the current study showed a considerable increment from previous studies done from 1999 to 2004 [16, 19, 20], however, the data on VZV sero-prevalence in Sri Lanka is limited in the past decade.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 86%

“…On the other hand, the new entrant students of the University of Peradeniya showed 49.1% sero-prevalence for anti-VZV IgG [19] and a group of adolescents from the Kandy District showed a sero-prevalence of 34.0% for anti-VZV IgG [20]. Thus, the sero-prevalence rate noted for anti-VZV IgG in the current study showed a considerable increment from previous studies done from 1999 to 2004 [16, 19, 20], however, the data on VZV sero-prevalence in Sri Lanka is limited in the past decade. Apart from the difference in the time at which past studies were conducted from now, the age groups covered in those studies may also be accountable for the discrepancies in the anti-VZV IgG status between those studies and the current study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exposure rate of VZV among women attending antenatal care clinic in Sri Lanka - a cross sectional study

et al. 2017

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BackgroundVaricella or chickenpox was not a notifiable disease until 2005 in Sri Lanka and only a few studies have been conducted on the epidemiology of VZV infection in the country. The antiVZV IgG sero-prevalence among antenatal women is extremely limited and thus a selected group of antenatal clinic attendees were chosen to determine the exposure rate to VZV infection.MethodsWomen attending the antenatal clinic at Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka were selected for the study and 3 mL of venous blood was collected from 181 participants and the demographic data was obtained through a pretested questionnaire. Sera of the women were then tested for the presence of antiVZV IgG using ELISA (HUMAN Diagnostics, Germany). Data was analysed using the SPSS statistical software for Windows, Version 12.0.ResultsOf the 181 antenatal women who took part in the study, 141 were positive for antiVZV IgG giving a sero-prevalence of 77.9% for the past exposure to VZV. Of the 141 antiVZV IgG positive women, 43.3% (n = 61) were from urban, 41.8% (n = 59) were from rural and 14.9% (n = 21) were from estate populations (an ethnic population living in small settlements in the tea estates whose ancestors were brought from India during the British colonial period to work in the tea plantations in Sri Lanka). Out of the 88 antenatal women with a positive history for varicella, 85 (96.6%) were positive for anti-VZV IgG. The highest number of antiVZV IgG positivity was seen in the 31–35 age group, which was 85.0% of the total number of antenatal women included in that category. An increase in the antiVZV IgG sero-prevalence with increasing age was also noted in the study sample.ConclusionExposure rate of VZV infection as confirmed by antiVZV IgG in the present study sample of antenatal women was 77.9%. Age specific, population based future sero-prevalence studies should be conducted in Sri Lanka to understand the anti-VZV IgG status in the country.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 86%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure rate of VZV among women attending antenatal care clinic in Sri Lanka - a cross sectional study

et al. 2017

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“…Sero-epidemiological reports[1-3] and reports from the Infectious Disease Hospital[4] in Sri Lanka demonstrate strong evidence of a high level of susceptibility for Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) infection among the adult population in Sri Lanka. According to the Indoor Morbidity and Mortality Report (IMMR) in 2003, 1,749 patients with VZV infection were admitted to government hospitals in Sri Lanka, out of which 15 were fatal[5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Incidence and effects of Varicella Zoster Virus infection on academic activities of medical undergraduates - a five-year follow-up study from Sri Lanka

et al. 2010

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BackgroundThe adult population in Sri Lanka is having high level of susceptibility for Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) infection. Among medical undergraduates, 47% are VZV seronegative. The purpose of the present study was to determine the incidence of VZV infection in medical undergraduates in Sri Lanka, and to describe the effects of VZV infection on their academic activities.MethodsA retrospective cohort of medical undergraduates' susceptible for VZV infection was selected from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Data on the incidence of VZV infection (Chickenpox) during their undergraduate period was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire. A second questionnaire was administered to collect data on the details of VZV infection and the impact of it on their academic activities. VZV incidence rate was calculated as the number of infections per 1,000 person years of exposure. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the impact of VZV infection on academic activities.ResultsOut of the 172 susceptible cohort, 153 medical undergraduates were followed up. 47 students reported VZV infection during the follow up period and 43 of them participated in the study. The cumulative incidence of VZV infection during the period of five and half years of medical training was 30.7%. Incidence density of VZV infection among medical undergraduates in this cohort was 65.1 per 1,000 person years of follow-up. A total of 377 working days were lost by 43 students due to the VZV infection, averaging 8.8 days per undergraduate. Total academic losses for the study cohort were; 205 lectures, 17 practicals, 13 dissection sessions, 11 tutorials, 124 days of clinical training and 107 days of professorial clinical appointments. According to their perception they lost 1,927 study hours due to the illness (Median 50 hours per undergraduate).ConclusionsThe incidence of VZV infection among Sri Lankan medical undergraduates is very high and the impact of this infection on academic activities causes severe disruption of their undergraduate life. VZV immunization for susceptible new entrant medical undergraduates is recommended.

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“…195 HCW susceptibility is country-dependent, and ranges from 5% 196 to 50%. 197 Special attention should focus on medical students who represent the most susceptible population.…”

Section: Benefits and Risks In Healthcare Settingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vaccination of healthcare workers: A review

Haviari

Bénet

Saadatian‐Elahi

et al. 2015

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics

155

124

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Susceptibility of New Entrant University Students in Sri Lanka to Varicella Zoster Infection

Cited by 13 publications

References 15 publications

Exposure rate of VZV among women attending antenatal care clinic in Sri Lanka - a cross sectional study

Exposure rate of VZV among women attending antenatal care clinic in Sri Lanka - a cross sectional study

Incidence and effects of Varicella Zoster Virus infection on academic activities of medical undergraduates - a five-year follow-up study from Sri Lanka

Vaccination of healthcare workers: A review

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