Abstract

MARTINEZ UZETA, Claudia; JIMENEZ, Gloria Mercedes  and  CASTELLANOS, Jaime E. Laboratory confirmation of fulminant varicella zoster virus pneumonia in an adult woman . rev.fac.med. [online]. 2007, vol.55, n.3, pp.165-172. ISSN 0120-0011.

Background . Primary varicella infection is a benign disease during childhood, but infection in adults causes serious complications and high mortality rate. Normally, diagnosis is made only by their clinical signs. Objetive . To make a confirmatory diagnostic about putative patologist one of varicella , using serological and molecular tests carried out on filed samples. Material and methods . DNA was extracted form archival samples using paraffin-embedded tissue specimens and varicella zoster virus genome was detected by PCR and sequencing confirmed. In addition, an archival serum sample was processed by ELISA. Results . ELISA of serum detects IgM but not IgG specific antibodies to varicella zoster virus. Primer specific PCR amplified a fragment of 297 bp belonging to viral genome DNA, which was confirmed by sequencing. Conclusion . Archival samples and tissues were useful tools to make the confirmatory laboratory tests.

Keywords : Herpesvirus 3; human ( varicella zoster virus); pneumonia; respiratory distress syndrome; adult; PCR (polymerase chain reaction); Immunoglovulin G ( IgG ); Immunoglovulin m ( IgM ).

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