Abstract
In this study, we investigated the prevalence of antibodies against nine viral species found in umbilical cord blood obtained from 561 neonates in 2013. Serum IgG antibodies against the following viruses were measured: herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella–zoster virus (VZV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), measles virus (MV), rubella virus (RV), mumps virus (MuV), and human parvovirus B19 (HPV B19). A survey questionnaire for past history and maternal immunization status was simultaneously administered for the vaccine-preventable diseases of varicella, measles, rubella, and mumps. The results were compared with previous data collected in 2001–2002 from 378 umbilical cord blood samples. Virus seroprevalence data were as follows: HSV, 54%; VZV, 96%; EBV, 96%; CMV, 67%; HHV-6, 100%; MV, 95%; RV, 94%; MuV, 64%; and HPV B19, 55%. The seroprevalence of CMV, MV, and MuV was significantly lower in 2013 than that in 2001–2002 (CMV, 76%; MV, 98%; MuV, 93%). Compared with 2001–2002 data, the mean IgG antibody values of the four vaccine-preventable diseases were significantly lower and vaccination coverage for those diseases among mothers was significantly higher. Thus, focus should be turned to the future antibody levels in women of the childbearing age.
