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Wadsworth Center, Department of Health, New York StateD Wadsworth Center New York State Department of Health
Main Body

Virology Laboratory (VL)

Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)

Clinical Virology Program

Links

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, MAppSc, PhD
Associate Director: Meghan Fuschino, MS
Telephone: (518) 474-4177

Certification Information

CLIA # 33D2005937
PFI # 8523
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: