Virus transmission primarily occurs via aspiration of infectious particles or through contact with vesicular fluids of skin lesions. Primary VZV infection is usually accompanied by a characteristic skin rash (varicella). The virus establishes lifelong persistence in ganglia. Virus reactivation, which occurs more commonly in older patients (> 50 years), usually manifests as herpes zoster (shingles). A common complication that can occur in patients with shingles is postherpetic neuralgia, with chronic pain which may even last for months. Further risk factors for virus reactivation are immunosuppression, auto-immune or other chronic diseases. If infection occurs during pregnancy or in immunosuppressed patients, VZV may lead to severe and even life-threatening complications. VZV is now recognized as a dangerous pathogen instead of merely a harmless childhood disease. Therefore, especially for atypical clinical manifestations or VZV-associated complications, fast and reliable diagnostics is crucial for timely therapy induction and effective medical intervention.
FluoroType® VZV for fast and reliable molecular diagnostics of varicella zoster virus from swab specimens and cerebrospinal fluid. Automated process steps minimize hands-on time for an efficient workflow. VZV DNA is extracted automatically with the GenoXtract® followed by amplification and detection of characteristic target sequences with real-time PCR using the FluoroCycler®96. Internal controls monitor test performance from sample preparation to test result. Interpretation of results is performed automatically by the intuitive and user-friendly Fluoro-Software®, for reliable test results within only three hours. This enables immediate initiation of suitable therapeutic measures to ensure adequate medical treatment.