Table 2 Prevalence of seronegative results
From: Varicella infections in patients with end stage renal disease: a systematic review
| Reference | Main Results | Timing of serology taken | Main conclusions | Study quality | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renal transplant patients/recipients | Haemodialysis patients | Renal transplant candidates + | ||||
| Crespo JF, et al. (2002) [16] | Among 336 renal transplant candidates, 33 (9.8%) were seronegative. | Before contraction of primary varicella | – | Level 2 | ||
| Geel AL, et al. (2006) [17] |
Among 854 transplant recipients, 2.1% were seronegative. | Among 286 patients on the wait list, 3.2% patients were seronegative | Before contraction of primary varicella |
-Low prevalence of seronegativity. -At risk of severe complications after contact with chickenpox. | Level 2 | |
| Rodríguez-Moreno A, et al. (2006) [13] | Among the four patients that developed primary varicella infection, all were tested negative for VZV IgG. | Presentation/onset of primary varicella | -Varicella infection among renal allograft recipients is unusual but carries a high morbidity and mortality. | Level 3 | ||
| Kaul A, et al. (2012) [9] | Among 23 renal allograft patients that developed varicella infection, all was tested negative for VZV IgG. | Presentation/onset of primary varicella | – | Level 3 | ||
| Talebi-Taher M, et al. (2013) [18] | Among 187 patients on haemodialysis, 2.1% were seronegative. | Before contraction of primary varicella |
-No correlation between patient’s self-reported history of VZV infection and seroprevalence status (p = 0.6). -Serologic screening for VZV for transplant candidates is essential. -Consider this population as a target group for future national immunisation program. | Level 2 | ||
| Abad CL, et al. (2016) [14] |
Among 54 cases of varicella in transplant recipients, baseline serology available in 32 patients, 19 (59.4%) were seronegative. | Presentation/onset of primary varicella |
Baseline serologies before transplantation remains useful as markers for prior exposure and latent infection. It also guides VZV vaccination. | Level 3 | ||
| Ong CY, et al. (2018) [15] | Among 66 cases of varicella in patients with ESRD (dialysis, transplant, conservative), baseline serology available in 19 patients. 42.1% were seronegative. | Presentation/onset of primary varicella |
-Immunity to varicella should be screened among ESRD patients. -Seronegative patients to be considered for varicella vaccination. | Level 3 | ||
