Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3720 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands; Department of Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre/University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3720 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
Int J Infect Dis. 2020 May;94:16-24. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.02.047. Epub 2020 Feb 26.
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection is reported regularly among adolescents and adults in Caribbean island populations. The disease more often runs a severe course among these populations, causing a substantial burden. The aim of this sero-epidemiological study was to obtain an insight into VZV susceptibility and its determinants in island populations of the Caribbean Netherlands (CN).
Participants from Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba (n = 1829, aged 0-90 years) donated a blood sample and completed a questionnaire. VZV-specific IgG antibodies were determined using a bead-based multiplex immunoassay. Risk factors were analysed using a logistic regression model.
Overall seroprevalence in CN was 78%, being lowest on St. Eustatius (73%) and highest on Bonaire and Saba (79%). Seropositivity increased gradually with age, with 60% and 80% at ages 10 years and 30 years, respectively, and ranging between 80% and 90% thereafter. Higher odds for VZV seronegativity were seen among persons who were born in CN or had resided there since early childhood, and among single-person households.
VZV susceptibility is relatively high among adolescents and adults in CN. In order to reduce the burden of VZV-related disease in these populations, routine varicella vaccination is recommended. As data are scarce, the study findings can serve as a blueprint for the epidemiology in tropical regions.
带状疱疹病毒（VZV）感染在加勒比海岛人群中的青少年和成年人中经常报告。在这些人群中，该疾病通常更为严重，造成了很大的负担。本血清流行病学研究旨在了解加勒比荷兰（CN）岛屿人群中 VZV 的易感性及其决定因素。
来自博奈尔岛、圣尤斯特歇斯岛和萨巴岛的参与者（n=1829，年龄 0-90 岁）捐献了血液样本并完成了一份问卷。使用基于珠子的多重免疫测定法测定 VZV 特异性 IgG 抗体。使用逻辑回归模型分析危险因素。
CN 的总体血清阳性率为 78%，圣尤斯特歇斯岛最低（73%），博奈尔岛和萨巴岛最高（79%）。血清阳性率随年龄逐渐增加，分别在 10 岁和 30 岁时为 60%和 80%，此后在 80%-90%之间。出生于 CN 或自幼居住在那里的人以及单身家庭中，VZV 血清阴性的可能性更高。
CN 青少年和成年人的 VZV 易感性相对较高。为了降低这些人群中与 VZV 相关疾病的负担，建议常规接种水痘疫苗。由于数据稀缺，本研究结果可以为热带地区的流行病学提供蓝图。
