AffiPCR® VZV Real Time PCR

Target Disease Type: Herpes Virus Infections

Specific Application: Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)

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VZV RT-PCR (CE) V61-50FRT DataSheet

INTRODUCTION

Varicella Zoster virus (VZV) is known by many names, including: chickenpox virus, varicella virus, zoster virus, and human herpes virus type 3 (HHV-3) . Primary VZV infection results in chickenpox (varicella), which may rarely result in complications including encephalitis or pneumonia. Even when clinical symptoms of chickenpox have resolved, VZV remains dormant in the nervous system of the infected person (virus latency), in the trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia. In about 10-20% of cases, VZV reactivates later in life producing a disease known as herpes zoster or shingles. Serious complications of shingles include postherpetic neuralgia, zoster multiplex, myelitis, herpes ophthalmicus, or zoster sine herpete.

Immunocompromised patients may develop severe skin eruption with or without hemorrhage. Healing of the cutaneous lesions takes three times longer than in the general population. Patients develop high fever. Virus spreads to visceral organs causing hepatitis, pneumonitis, pancreatitis, small bowel obstruction and encephalitis. Bacterial superinfections including bacteremia can develop. Antiviral therapy significantly reduces morbidity and can reduce mortality.

Enzyme immunoassay (EIA), latex agglutination (LA), Indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) and fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen assay (FAMA) are reliable in the immunocompetent patient but not necessarily in immunocompromised patients. The method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the VZV diagnosis is highly sensitive, specific and it has become very important in the laboratory diagnostics of VZV.

INTENDED USE

Kit VZV Real-TM is a test for the qualitative detection of Varicella Zoster virus in the whole blood, liquor, swabs, urine, prostatic liquid and other biological materials.

PRINCIPLE OF ASSAY

Kit VZV Real-TM is based on two major processes: isolation of DNA from specimens and Real Time amplification. VZV DNA is extracted from the specimens, amplified using Real-Time amplification and detected fluorescent reporter dye probes specific for VZV DNA and Internal Control. Internal Control (IC) serves as an amplification control for each individually processed specimen and to identify possible reaction inhibition. IC is detected in a channel other than the VZV.