Indirect haemagglutination reaction (LH)-the method of choice for the detection of anamnestic antibodies to varicella - zoster (VZ) virus.

The method of indirect haemagglutination is a sensitive quantitative serological reaction for the detection of anamnestic titres of VZ antibodies. The curve obtained by the examination of a representative population sample has shown that the occurrence of VZ antibodies increases with the age so that 60% of children of under-school age and 90% of 15-year-old children have antibodies to varicella-zoster virus. In adult age groups, seropositivity ranges between 90--100%. The incidence and level of antibodies are identical in both sexes and do not decrease in old age groups. The mean titre of indirect haemagglutinating antibodies was 1 : 128.