A systematic review of varicella seroprevalence in European countries before universal childhood immunization: deriving incidence from seroprevalence data.

ABSTRACT: Surveillance systems for varicella in Europe are highly heterogeneous or completely absent. We estimated the varicella incidence based on seroprevalence data, as these data are largely available and not biased by under-reporting or underascertainment. We conducted a systematic literature search for varicella serological data in Europe prior to introduction of universal varicella immunization. Age-specific serological data were pooled by country and serological profiles estimated using the catalytic model with piecewise constant force of infection. From the estimated profiles, we derived the annual incidence of varicella infection (/100·000) for six age groups (<5, 5-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-39 and 40-65 years). In total, 43 studies from 16 countries were identified. By the age of 15 years, over

SUBMITTER: Bollaerts K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5647669 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature