Ndumbe P M, Cradock-Watson J E, Heath R B, Levinsky R J
Postgrad Med J. 1985;61 Suppl 4:133-5.
Thirty-four varicella-zoster virus (VZV) seronegative nurses were vaccinated with the live varicella vaccine (Varilrix) and followed for periods of up to 36 months. No major vaccine reactions were observed. At 5 and 12 months, 94% of the nurses had seroconverted but at 3 years, only 64% retained antibody activity. However, lymphocyte transformation to VZV antigen was positive in 7 seronegative nurses, all of whom had previously seroconverted. The one nurse who developed chickenpox had not seroconverted after vaccination. Two out of 11 seroconverted nurses had a subclinical reinfection, as shown by a rise in antibody, upon exposure to varicella. In contrast, 4 out of 5 seronegative nurses who had refused vaccination developed chickenpox. Varilrix is therefore safe, immunogenic, and protective in adults and can be considered for routine use in susceptible health workers. However, it is still uncertain whether lifelong immunity is obtained with this vaccine. Both cell-mediated and antibody tests are needed for long-term assessment of immunity to chickenpox.
34名水痘-带状疱疹病毒（VZV）血清学阴性的护士接种了水痘活疫苗（Varilrix），并随访了长达36个月。未观察到严重的疫苗反应。在5个月和12个月时，94%的护士出现了血清转化，但在3年时，只有64%的人仍保留抗体活性。然而，7名血清学阴性的护士对VZV抗原的淋巴细胞转化呈阳性，所有这些人此前都已发生血清转化。患水痘的那名护士在接种疫苗后未发生血清转化。11名发生血清转化的护士中有2人在接触水痘后出现亚临床再感染，表现为抗体升高。相比之下，5名拒绝接种疫苗的血清学阴性护士中有4人患了水痘。因此，Varilrix在成人中是安全、具有免疫原性且有保护作用的，可考虑在易感医护人员中常规使用。然而，使用这种疫苗是否能获得终身免疫力仍不确定。对水痘免疫力的长期评估需要细胞介导试验和抗体检测。
