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Investigations

Authoring team

The diagnosis is generally clinical, but: (1,2)

  • there is a rising antibody titre
  • virus may be identified by molecular techniques (PCR)
  • virus can be isolated from fluid/cells from the base of the vesicular lesion
  • giant cells can be isolated from the lesions

Reference:

  1. UK Health Security Agency. The Green Book: Varicella. Jun 2019 [internet publication].
  2. Freer G, Pistello M. Varicella-zoster virus infection: natural history, clinical manifestations, immunity and current and future vaccination strategies. New Microbiol. 2018 Apr;41(2):95-105.

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