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Virus Reference and Surveillance Laboratory (VRSL)

Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)

Clinical Virology Program

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Transmission electron micrograph of varicella-zoster virions from vesicle fluid of patient with chickenpox

Transmission electron micrograph of varicella-zoster virions from vesicle fluid of patient with chickenpox
Micrograph courtesy of Dr. Erskine Palmer, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health Image Library, 1981

Contact Information

Lab Director:
Kirsten St. George M.App.Sc., Ph.D.
(518) 869-4520

Cell-Based Testing Supervisor:
Kim Rush-Wilson
(518) 869-4559

Molecular Testing Supervisor:
Meghan Fuschino, M.S.
(518) 869-4559

Certification Information

CLIA # 33D0654341
PFI # 1067
WHO Collaborating Laboratory
Disease:
  • CHICKENPOX (Varicella): Primary infection-highly contagious systemic infection presenting with fever and an itchy, generalized vesicular rash
  • Secondary staphylococcal and streptococcal skin infections can occur
  • SHINGLES (Zoster): Reactivation of latent VZV- painful vesicular rash, usually limited to one dermatome, most common on the thorax, neck, and face. Post-herpetic neuralgia
  • Encephalitis
Transmission:
  • Varicella: Direct contact with skin lesions, inhalation of virus-containing aerosols
Vaccination:
  • Available
Age Association:
  • Varicella: primarily young children
  • Zoster: Older or immunocompromised adults
Geographic Distribution:
  • Worldwide
Seasonal Distribution:
  • Varicella: winter/early spring
  • Zoster: all year
Preferred Specimens:
  • Vesicular or lesion swab, CSF
Collection and Shipping:
Test Methods: Culture:
  • Conventional tube culture
  • Immunofluorescence for confirmation
  Molecular:
  • Real-time PCR
Links of Interest: