Varicella-Zoster Virus Antibodies (IgG, IgM)

AZ Location--Order as QNI FLEXI

34128

1.5 mL serum

1 mL

Room temperature

Gross hemolysis • Grossly lipemic • Grossly icteric

See Individual Assay

Maximum Laboratory Turn Around Time 6days
 

Other herpes viruses may cross react and produce high titers. Protection may be limited at low positive titers. Antibodies persist after infection has been treated or becomes dormant.

Varicella-Zoster Virus Antibody (IgG)

Signal to Cut-off   S/CO	Interpretation
<1.00	Negative - Antibody not detected
≥1.00	Positive - Antibody detected

A positive result indicates that the patient has antibody to VZV but does not differentiate between an active or past infection.
The clinical diagnosis must be interpreted in conjunction with the clinical signs and symptoms of the patient. This assay reliably measures immunity due to previous infection but may not be sensitive enough to detect antibodies induced by vaccination. Thus, a negative result in a vaccinated individual does not necessarily indicate susceptibility to VZV infection. A more sensitive test for vaccination-induced immunity is Varicella Zoster Virus Antibody Immunity Screen, ACIF.

Varicella-Zoster Virus Antibody (IgM)

Value	Interpretation
0.00-0.90	Negative
0.91-1.09	Equivocal
≥1.10	Positive

Results from any one IgM assay should not be used as a sole determinant of a current or recent infection. Because an IgM test can yield false positive results and low levels of IgM antibody may persist for more than 12 months post infection, reliance on a single test result could be misleading. If an acute infection is suspected, consider obtaining a new specimen and submit for both IgG and IgM testing in two or more weeks.

Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) causes chickenpox and when reactivated, potentially decades later, causes shingles. Twenty percent of adults will develop shingles, a rash or blister of the skin that may cause severe pain.