Early detection of Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV)-specific T-cells before seroconversion in primary varicella infection

Abstract

Here we report the case of a 54-year old, immunocompetent German patient with primary varicella whose Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV)-specific T-cell responses could be detected early in infection and before the onset of seroconversion. This case demonstrates that the detection of VZV-specific T-cells may under certain circumstances support the diagnosis of a primary varicella infection, as for example in cases of atypical or subclinical varicella or in the absence of detectable VZV DNA in plasma. © 2010 Baiker et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.