Evaluation of Varicella Immunity during Pregnancy in Apulia Region, Southern Italy

Abstract

Varicella is a highly contagious, infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Those at higher risk of severe complications are immunocompromised individuals, adults, non-immune pregnant women, and newborns. According to the gestational time, when varicella-zoster virus infection is acquired during pregnancy, serious complications can potentially occur for both the woman and the fetus. The present study was conducted to assess the profile of varicella susceptibility in pregnant women in Apulia, a large region in Southern Italy, from 2016 to 2019. The data showed that pregnant women between the age of 15-24 and 40-49 years, the youngest and the oldest, respectively, are the most protected against varicella-zoster virus infection, exceeding the prevalence rate of 90%. Conversely, pregnant women between the age of 25 and 34 years seem to be the most vulnerable and the most at risk for acquiring varicella-zoster virus infection during pregnancy. Analysis of the immunity status against varicella should be introduced as a screening test before pregnancy, together with a strategic vaccination campaign targeting non-immune women of childbearing age, in order to reduce the risk of congenital and perinatal varicella.

Keywords: Apulia region; Italy; pregnancy; varicella-zoster virus.

Figure 1

Prevalence of anti-VZV IgG antibodies in pregnant women by age groups: 95.6% (95% CI: 78.0–99.9) in 15–24 age group, 83.0% (95% CI: 74.2–89.8) in 25–29 age group, 85.6% (95% CI: 79.6–90.3) in 30–34 age group, 89.5% (95% CI: 83.3–94.0) in 35–39 age group, and 93.3% (95% CI: 83.8–98.1) in 40–49 age group.