New variant of varicella-zoster virus

Emerg Infect Dis. 2002 Dec;8(12):1504-5. doi: 10.3201/eid0812.020118.

Abstract

In 1998, a varicella-zoster virus glycoprotein E (gE) mutant virus (VZV-MSP) was isolated from a child with chickenpox. VZV-MSP, representing a second VZV serotype, was considered a rarity. We isolated another VZV-MSP-like virus from an elderly man with herpes zoster. These gE mutant viruses may have arisen through independent mutation or may represent a distinct VZV subpopulation that emerged more than 50 years ago.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • 2-Aminopurine / analogs & derivatives*
  • 2-Aminopurine / therapeutic use
  • Aged
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Famciclovir
  • Genome, Viral*
  • Herpes Zoster / drug therapy
  • Herpes Zoster / physiopathology*
  • Herpesvirus 3, Human / classification
  • Herpesvirus 3, Human / genetics*
  • Herpesvirus 3, Human / pathogenicity
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Serotyping

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • 2-Aminopurine
  • Famciclovir