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Unit Code 81241:
Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) by Rapid PCR

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Useful For

Rapid (qualitative) detection of VZV DNA in clinical specimens

(dermal sources, cerebrospinal fluid [CSF]) for laboratory diagnosis

of disease due to this virus.

Clinical Information

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes both varicella (chickenpox)

and herpes zoster (shingles). VZV produces a generalized

vesicular rash on the dermis (chickenpox) in normal children,

usually before age 10 years. After primary infection with VZV,

the virus persists in latent form and may emerge (usually in

adults age 50 years and older) clinically to cause a unilateral

vesicular eruption, generally in a dermatomal distribution

(shingles).

Reference Values

Negative                                                     

Positive results will be reported as VZV DNA detected.

Interpretation

Detection of VZV DNA in clinical specimens supports the

clinical diagnosis of infection due to this virus. The lower limit

of detection of LightCycler PCR is <10 genomic copies of VZV DNA

per specimen.

 

VZV DNA is not detected in CSF from patients without central

nervous system (CNS) disease caused by this virus.

Cautions

A negative result does not exclude the possibility of  VZV

infection of the CNS.

Clinical Reference

1.   Cinque P, Bossolasco S, Vago L, et al:  Varicella-zoster

      virus (VZV) DNA in cerebrospinal fluid of patients infected

      with human immunodeficiency virus: VZV disease of the

      central nervous system or subclinical reactivation of VZV

      infection? Clin Infect Dis 1997;25(3):634-639

 

2.   Brown M, Scarborough M, Brink N, et al:  Varicella

      zoster virus-associated neurological disease in HIV-

      infected patients. Int J STD AIDS 2001;12(2):79-83

 

3.   Studahl M, Hagberg L, Rekabdar E, Bergstrom T:  

      Herpesvirus DNA detection in cerebrospinal fluid:

      differences in clinical presentation between alpha-,

      beta-, and gamma-herpesviruses. Scand J Infect Dis

      2000;32(3):237-248

 

4.   Iten A, Chatelard P, Vuadens P, et al:  Impact of

      cerebrospinal fluid PCR on the management of HIV-

      infected patients with varicella-zoster virus infection of the

      central nervous system. J Neurovirol 1999;5(2):172-180

Key