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Varicella-Zoster Virus Antibody (IgG)
Test CodeVZV
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 4 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 30 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 30 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Gross hemolysis • Grossly lipemic
Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)
Setup Schedule
Set up: Tues-Sat; Report available: 1-3 days
Limitations
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.
Clinical Significance
Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) causes chicken pox 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. Varicella-Zoster IgG, EIA reliably measures immunity due to previous infection, but is unsuitable for detection of post-vaccination immune status.