Viral load and antibody boosting following herpes zoster diagnosis

Primary infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes chickenpox, following which the virus establishes latency. It reactivates in up to 25% of individuals to cause the painful dermatomal rash known as shingles (herpes zoster). During chickenpox or shingles, viral DNA is detectable in skin lesions, blood and saliva [1,2]. Viral replication is accompanied by boosting of VZV antibodies consistent with antigenic, or endogenous, boosting. Few data exist, however, confirming the relationship between viral load and antibody titres during, and following, acute clinical VZV disease.
Source: Journal of Clinical Virology - Category: Virology Authors: Tags: Short communication Source Type: research