EC Microbiology

This was a cross sectional and observational study, conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College, Sylhet in collaboration with Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Paediatrics in-patients and out-patient Department of this hospital during the period from July 2010 to June 2011 with a view to explore the Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) immune status in pregnant mother and neonates up to six months post birth. For this purpose, 60 pregnant women, 60 new born babies and 60 infants aged six months were selected. After selection 5 ml of venous blood from pregnant mothers, 3ml of cord blood from newborn babies and 5 ml venous blood from infant aged six months. Immunoglobulin G antibodies to VZV in the sera were measured with a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test (VZV IgG; Human, Germany).

The mean age of the pregnant woman was 28.8 (SD ± 4.7) years. The sex of new born babies and children aged six months was identical [29 (48.3%) male vs 31 (51.7%) male; p = 0.715]. There were 49 (81.7%) pregnant mothers, 47 (78.3%) new born babies and 6 (10.0%) infants aged six months were seropositive to VZV IgG. The seropositivity of pregnant mothers and new born babies were almost similar (p = 0.648); but the seropositivity to VZV in infant aged six months were significantly lower than that of pregnant mothers and new born baby (p < 0.001 each).

In conclusion, a significant proportion of the Bangladeshi pregnant mother is susceptible to varicella and infant aged six months is highly susceptible to varicella.

Keywords: Seroprevalence; IgG Antibody; Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)

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