Reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) that has remained dormant within dorsal root ganglia, often for decades after the patient’s initial exposure to the virus in the form of varicella (chickenpox), results in herpes zoster (shingles). This infection is presented with numerous differential diagnoses. Therefore, a diagnostic decision is important for the management of this infection. This article describes the different diagnostic method to identify VZV infection.
Herpes zoster, also known as "shingles", results from reactivation of endogenous latent VZV infection within the sensory ganglia. This clinical form of the disease is characterized by a painful, unilateral vesicular eruption, which usually occurs in a restricted dermatomal distribution. The diagnosis of these two disease phases is usually made clinically. However, the use of diagnostic assays may be important in specific…
