Clinical Significance of Serum Varicella Zoster Virus Immunoglobulin M and G in Varicella and Herpes Zoster

Kim, Young Gyun; Paek, Jun Oh; Kim, Joung Soo; Yu, Hee Joon

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The presence of serum varicella zoster virus (VZV) immunoglobulin M and G (IgM and IgG) aid diagnosis of and confirmation of immunization against varicella and herpes zoster. However, the relationship between serum VZV IgM and IgG and the clinical characteristics of VZV infection remains unclear.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated quantitative changes in serum VZV IgM and IgG in accordance with the clinical features of varicella, herpes zoster, and disseminated herpes zoster compared with a normal control group.
METHODS
A total of 922 patients were classified into 3 groups: varicella, herpes zoster, and disseminated herpes zoster. We assessed serum VZV IgM and IgG titers in association with age, severity of skin lesions, duration of skin lesions, immune status, and neurologic complications.
RESULTS
In patients with varicella and herpes zoster, serum antibody titer varied significantly depending on age and the duration of skin lesions. A high serum VZV IgM titer was related to varicella or disseminated herpes zoster viremia. In herpes zoster, elevated antibody titers, especially VZV IgM, were associated with severe skin lesions and the presence of neurologic complications.
CONCLUSION
Serologic data for varicella and herpes zoster varied according to clinical features. A high serum VZV IgM titer was associated with an unfavorable clinical course of herpes zoster.