26658 Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) Antibody, IgM, Serum (VZM)

​Chicken Pox

Herpes Zoster antibodies

Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV)

VZV (Varicella-Zoster Virus)​

​Varicella-Zoster Ab, IgM

​Diagnosing acute-phase infection with varicella-zoster virus

​Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.

Gross hemolysis, Gross lipemia, Gross icterus and Heat-inactivated specimens

​The performance characteristics with individuals vaccinated with varicella-zoster virus (OKA strain) have not been established.

The test must be performed on serum. The use of whole blood, plasma, or cord blood has not been established.

Positive results from cord blood or neonates should be interpreted with caution. 

Results from immunocompromised patients should be interpreted with caution.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a herpes virus, causes 2 distinct exanthematous (rash-associated) diseases: chickenpox (varicella) and herpes zoster (shingles). Chickenpox is a highly contagious, though typically benign, disease, usually contracted during childhood. Chickenpox is characterized by a dermal vesiculopustular rash that develops in successive crops approximately 10 to 21 days following exposure.(1) Although primary infection with VZV results in immunity and protection from subsequent infection, VZV remains latent within sensory dorsal root ganglia and upon reactivation, manifests as herpes zoster or shingles. During reactivation, the virus migrates along neural pathways to the skin, producing a unilateral rash, usually limited to a single dermatome. Shingles is an extremely painful condition typically occurring in older nonimmune adults or those with waning immunity to VZV and in patients with impaired cellular immunity.(2)

Several populations are at risk of suffering unusually severe reactions to VZV infections. The infection in women who are pregnant may spread through the placenta to the fetus causing congenital disease in the infant. Immunocompromised patients in hospitals may contract severe nosocomial infections from others who have active VZV infections and are at risk for developing severe VZV-related complications, which include cutaneous disseminated disease and visceral organ involvement.(2,3) Therefore, serologic screening of direct healthcare providers (physicians, allied healthcare personnel) and individuals in high-risk groups is necessary to avoid uncontrolled spread of infection.

While the clinical presentation of VZV infection is generally characteristic, serologic evaluation of patients with atypical and systemic infections is often required. For example, it is extremely important to serologically evaluate patients for the early detection of VZV infections in hospital settings. Nosocomial spread of VZV infection can be life-threatening to immunocompromised patients susceptible to infection.

Negative

Reference values apply to all ages.

A positive IgM result indicates a recent infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV).

A negative result does not rule out the diagnosis of VZV infection. The specimen may have been drawn before the appearance of detectable antibodies. Negative results in suspected early VZV infection should be followed by testing a new specimen in 2 to 3 weeks