Correlation between Severity of Clinical Features and Serum Varicella-zoster Virus DNA Titer in Patients with Herpes Zoster

Kim, Soo Hyun; Ha, Jung Sook; Kim, Sung Ae

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) DNA can be detected in serum specimens of herpes zoster patients despite its cell-associated nature. We expected that quantitation of the VZV DNA in the serum was of potential importance for predicting the clinical severity in patients with herpes zoster.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to identify the correlation between the severity of clinical features and serum VZV titers in patients with herpes zoster.
METHODS
Between December 2013 and January 2015, a total of 31 patients were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups according to clinical features: skin inflammation severity, initial pain, age, lesion site, and underlying diseases. Samples were also collected from five adults without any VZV-induced symptoms. Viral DNA amplification by real-time polymerase chain reaction was examined in all patients.
RESULTS
The median serum VZV DNA titer of the severe inflammation group (826.25 copies/µL) was significantly higher than that of mild inflammation group (567.5 copies/µL) (p<0.05). There was no significant correlation between the serum VZV titer and severity of initial pain, age, lesion site, and underlying diseases. No serum VZV DNA was detected in the control group.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the serum VZV DNA titer was related to the skin inflammation severity of patients with herpes zoster.