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Brief Report Susceptibility of Filipino Nurses to the Varicella-Zoster Virus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Nabil T. Nassar*
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
Helen C. Tourna
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
*
American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Beirut, Lebanon

Abstract

Following an outbreak of varicella, 18% of a group of 174 young female Filipino nurses ranging in age from 20 to 25 years and working at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUMC) were found susceptible to the varicella-zoster virus; as compared to 3% of a matched group of 133 of their Lebanese colleagues. The level of antibody was determined by the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Those susceptible were assigned duties in low-risk areas to varicella-zoster in the hospital.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1986

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