Seroprevalence of varicella zoster virus, parvovirus B19 and Toxoplasma gondii in a Melbourne obstetric population: implications for management

At an antenatal clinic at a Melbourne obstetric hospital, 308 women were questioned about a known past history of infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV), human parvovirus B19 and Toxoplasma gondii. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations were determined for the 3 infectious agents and a recalled history of infection was compared with the presence of specific antibody. Exactly 66% of women recalled being infected with chickenpox (VZV) and 94% showed serological evidence of past exposure. Although 64% of women had parvovirus specific IgG, only one gave a definite history of past parvovirus infection. None of the 23% of women with evidence of previous exposure to Toxoplasma gondii recalled a past infection. The proportion of antenatal women at risk in this study was used to estimate the potential burden of disease from congenital infections in Australia and to examine implications for management of pregnancies complicated by these 3 infections.