| Test Name and Number |
Recommended Use |
Limitations |
Follow Up |
| Varicella-Zoster Virus DFA with Reflex to Varicella-Zoster Virus Culture 0060282 Method: Direct Fluorescent Antibody Stain |
Confirm VZV, especially in active skin lesions Culture considered gold standard |
Not recommended for CSF samples |
|
| Varicella-Zoster Virus DFA 0060290 Method: Direct Fluorescent Antibody Stain |
Confirm VZV |
About 20% of samples submitted for VZV are positive for HSV; HSV testing is NOT included in this test |
|
| Varicella-Zoster Virus & Herpes Simplex Virus DFA with Reflex to Varicella-Zoster Virus Culture & Herpes Simplex Virus Culture 0060283 Method: Direct Fluorescent Antibody Stain |
Confirm VZV or HSV especially in active skin lesions |
Not recommended for CSF samples |
|
| Varicella-Zoster Virus by PCR 0060042 Method: Polymerase Chain Reaction |
PCR is the most sensitive and rapid test Given its expense, some laboratories may limit testing to - CNS syndromes
- Body fluids or tissues from unusual varicella or herpes zoster infections
- Vesicle fluid specimens negative for VZV by culture and/or DFA negative for HSV by culture, where definitive etiologic determination clinically important
|
|
|
| Varicella-Zoster Virus Antibodies, IgG & IgM 0050162 Method: Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay |
Diagnose clinical infections with varicella or herpes zoster
Identify hospitalized children with varicella
Assess immune status of individuals exposed to varicella, especially pregnant women
|
|
Repeat testing in 10-14 days if results equivocal
|
| Varicella-Zoster Virus Antibody, IgM by ELISA (CSF) 0054445 Method: Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay |
Confirm VZV in acute infections |
Antibody detection in CSF may reflect contamination by blood or antibody transfer across blood-brain barrier instead of VZV infection |
Repeat in 10-14 days if results equivocal |