Sorted By Test Name - Mayo Medical Laboratories

VZM
80964
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.
Useful For: Diagnosing acute-phase infection with varicella-zoster virus
Interpretation: A positive IgG result coupled with a positive IgM result indicates recent infection with
varicella-zoster virus (VZV). A positive IgG result coupled with a negative IgM result indicates previous
exposure to VZV and immunity. A negative IgG result coupled with a negative IgM result indicates the
absence of prior exposure to VZV and nonimmunity. However, a negative result does not rule out a VZV
infection. The specimen may have been drawn before the appearance of detectable antibodies. Negative
results in suspected early VZV infections should be followed by testing a new serum specimen in 2 to 3
weeks. Equivocal results should be followed up with testing a new serum specimen within 10 to 14 days.
Reference Values:
IgG
Negative (reported as positive or negative)
A negative result indicates nonimmunity.
IgM
Negative (reported as positive or negative)
Clinical References: 1. Kennedy PG: Latent varicella-zoster virus is located predominantly in
neurons in human trigeminal ganglia. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1998;95:4658-4662 2. McPherson RE:
Herpes zoster ophthalmicus and the immunocompromised host: a case report and review. J Am Optom
Assoc 1997;68:527-538 3. Papanicolaou GA, Meyers BR, Fuchs WS, et al: Infectious ocular
complications in orthotopic liver transplant patients. Clin Infect Dis 1997;24:1172-1177 4. Flamholc L:
Neurological complications in herpes zoster. Scand J Infect Dis 1996;100:35-40
Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) Antibody, IgM, Serum
Clinical Information: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a herpes virus, causes 2 exanthematous
(rash-associated) diseases, chickenpox and herpes zoster (shingles). Chickenpox is a highly contagious
disease usually contracted during childhood and is characterized by a dermal vesiculopustular rash that
develops in successive crops. Although primary infection results in immunity to subsequent exposure to
chickenpox, the virus remains latent in the body, localized to the dorsal root or cranial nerve ganglia.
Reactivation of latent infection manifests as herpes zoster. On reactivation, the virus migrates along
neural pathways to the skin, producing a unilateral rash usually limited to a single dermatome.
Reactivation occurs in older adults and in patients with impaired cellular immunity. Several populations
are at risk of suffering unusually severe reactions to VZV infections. The infection in pregnant women
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. Therefore, serologic screening of direct health-care providers (physicians,
allied health-care 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.
Useful For: Diagnosing acute-phase infection with varicella-zoster virus
Interpretation: 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.
Reference Values:
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