Rapid diagnosis of varicella-zoster virus infection by direct immunofluorescence

American Journal of Clinical Pathology
W L Drew, L Mintz

Abstract

Laboratory results were reviewed for 47 patients who had skin lesions that had been simultaneously examined by viral culture and direct immunofluorescence for the presence of varicella-zoster virus. Immunofluorescence established the diagnosis in 24 of 28 patients (86%) strongly suspected on clinical grounds of having varicella-zoster infection. Viral culture was positive in only 10 of 28 patients (36%). Skin lesions in 19 patients who had other diagnoses were negative by both tests. Direct immunofluorescence appears to be a highly sensitive and specific technic for the rapid diagnosis of cutaneous varicella-zoster virus infections.

Citations

Jan 1, 1989·Critical Reviews in Microbiology·S DarougarR M Woodland
Jan 1, 1993·Virchows Archiv. A, Pathological Anatomy and Histopathology·A F NikkelsG E Piérard
Sep 1, 1988·Journal of Clinical Microbiology·C A GleavesJ D Meyers
Jul 1, 1996·Clinical Microbiology Reviews·A M Arvin

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