All issues > Volume 51(4); 2008

Original Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2008;51(4):377-382. Published online April 15, 2008.

The usefulness of skin test in evaluation of immunity to varicella

Ji-Young JY Kim¹, Hye Jeen HJ Lee¹, Me Jin MJ Kim¹, Young Ho YH Kim¹, Ji A JA Jung¹, Seung S Yang¹, Il Tae IT Hwang¹, Hae Ran HR Lee¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence Hae Ran HR Lee ,Email: drran@hallym.or.kr

Abstract

Purpose
: The aim of this study is to assess the usefulness of skin test by an inactivated, 1/50 diluted solution of attenuated varicella vaccine in evaluating the immune status to varicella.
Methods
: Total 41 subjects (22 males, 19 females, aged 1-32 years) were enrolled from July to August, 2005. Past medical history including varicella infection, varicella vaccination were investigated through questionnaires. The skin test solution was prepared from solution of attenuated varicella vaccine(Oka strain) which was inactivated by exposure to room temperature for 10 days and diluted at 1/50 with normal saline. Skin test was done by injecting 0.1 mL of the solution intradermally into the volar surface of the right forearm and sterile normal saline was used as a control on the left forearm. Positive reaction was defined when the transverse diameter of the induration was 5 mm or more. Serum varicella zoster virus specific IgG antibody test by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) was done.
Results
: In adults, the sensitivity of the varicella zoster virus skin test compared to ELISA was 94.7% and the positive predictive value was 100%. In children, both the positive predictive value and specificity were 100% but the sensitivity and the negative predictive value were 50% and 30.7% respectively. Children showed smaller skin test reactivity compared to adults.
Conclusion
: The varicella zoster virus skin test using inactivated, 1/50 diluted solution of attenuated varicella vaccine was proved as one of the useful tools for evaluating the immunity and susceptibility of the varicella zoster virus.

Keywords :Skin tests, Chickenpox, Immunity