Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41295539›Full record

ArticleVaccines2025

Seroprevalence and Vaccination Determinants of Varicella Zoster Virus Among Pediatric and Adolescent Populations in Northern Lebanon.

Nourhan Farhat, Dima El Safadi, Jana Massoud, Sara Khalife

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Vaccines, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Nourhan FarhatDepartment of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Tripoli 11-5020, Lebanon.
Dima El SafadiDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L7 8XZ, UK.
Jana MassoudDepartment of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Tripoli 11-5020, Lebanon.
Sara KhalifeDepartment of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Tripoli 11-5020, Lebanon.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundVaricella zoster virus (VZV) remains a significant cause of pediatric morbidity in populations in Lebanon, yet comprehensive data on population immunity and vaccination uptake are limited. This study aimed to estimate VZV seroprevalence and identify factors associated with immunity and vaccine uptake among children and adolescents in Northern Lebanon.

methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 180 participants aged 1-18 years recruited from urban and rural settings in North Lebanon. After receiving informed parental consent, sociodemographic and clinical information were collected via structured questionnaires. Anti-VZV IgG and IgM antibodies were measured using validated Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA). Associations with seropositivity and vaccination uptake were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.

resultsIgG seroprevalence was 79.4% (95% CI: 72.7-85.1), indicating prior exposure or immunization, while IgM antibodies, reflecting recent infection, were detected in 5.0% (95% CI: 2.3-9.4) of participants. Among vaccinated participants, IgG seropositivity was 63.6% (95% CI: 43.5-83.7) in the one-dose group and 89.5% (95% CI: 83.0-96.0) in the two-dose group. Completing the two-dose regimen was significantly associated with a higher IgG seropositivity (OR = 0.110, 95% CI: 3.2-52.4,

conclusionsSuboptimal VZV vaccination coverage and persistent susceptibility underscore the need to integrate varicella vaccination into Lebanon's national immunization schedule. Targeted educational efforts and enhanced pediatric healthcare engagement are critical to increasing vaccine uptake and reducing disease burden.

Indexed as

immunization policyNorth Lebanonpediatric epidemiologypublic healthseroprevalencevaccinationvaricella zoster virus

Identifiers

PMID41295539
PMCPMC12656992

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