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HelpTest ID VZPG Varicella-Zoster Antibody, IgG, Serum
Reporting Name
Varicella-Zoster Ab, IgG, SUseful For
Determination of immune status of individuals to the varicella-zoster virus (VZV)
Documentation of previous infection with VZV in an individual without a previous record of immunization to VZV
Specimen Type
SerumSpecimen Required
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.4 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | |
| Frozen | 14 days |
Reference Values
Vaccinated: Positive (≥1.1 AI)
Unvaccinated: Negative (≤0.8 AI)
Reference values apply to all ages.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
86787
Clinical Information
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a herpes virus, causes 2 distinct exanthematous (rash-associated) diseases: chickenpox (varicella) and herpes zoster (shingles). Chickenpox is a highly contagious, though typically benign, disease, usually contracted during childhood. Chickenpox is characterized by a dermal vesiculopustular rash that develops in successive crops approximately 10 to 21 days following exposure.(1) Although primary infection with VZV results in immunity and protection from subsequent infection, VZV remains latent within sensory dorsal root ganglia and upon reactivation, manifests as herpes zoster or shingles. During reactivation, the virus migrates along neural pathways to the skin, producing a unilateral rash, usually limited to a single dermatome. Shingles is an extremely painful condition typically occurring in older nonimmune adults or those with waning immunity to VZV and in patients with impaired cellular immunity.(2)
Individuals at risk for severe complications following primary VZV infection include pregnant women, in whom the virus may spread through the placenta to the fetus, causing congenital disease in the infant. Additionally, immunosuppressed patients are at risk for developing severe VZV-related complications, which include cutaneous disseminated disease and visceral organ involvement.(2,3)
Serologic screening for IgG-class antibodies to VZV aids in identifying nonimmune individuals.
Interpretation
Positive: Antibody index (AI) value of 1.1 or higher:
The reported AI value is for reference only. This is a qualitative test, and the numeric value of the AI is not indicative of the amount of antibody present. AI values above the manufacturer recommended cutoff for this assay indicate that specific antibodies were detected, suggesting prior exposure or vaccination. The presence of detectable IgG-class antibodies indicates prior exposure to the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) through infection or immunization. Individuals testing positive are considered immune to varicella-zoster.
Equivocal: AI 0.9-1.0
Submit an additional specimen for testing in 10 to 14 days to demonstrate IgG seroconversion if recently vaccinated or if otherwise clinically indicated.
Negative: AI of 0.8 or lower
The absence of detectable IgG-class antibodies suggests no prior exposure to the VZV or the lack of a specific immune response to immunization.
Cautions
IgG-class antibodies to varicella-zoster virus may be present in serum specimens from individuals who have received blood products within the past several months but have not been immunized or experienced past infection with this virus.
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Serum specimens drawn early during acute phase of infection may be negative for IgG-class antibodies to this virus.
Clinical Reference
1. Yankowitz J, Grose C: Congenital infections. In: Storch GA, ed. Essentials of diagnostic virology. Churchill Livingstone; 2000:187-201
2. Gnann JW, Whitley RJ: Herpes Zoster. N Engl J Med. 2002 Aug 1;347(5):340-346
3. Cvjetkovic D, Jovanovic J, Hrnjakovic-Cvjetkovic I, et al: Reactivation of herpes zoster infection by varicella-zoster virus. Med Pregl. 1999 Mar-May;52(3):125-128
4. Whitely RJ: Chickenpox and Herpes Zoster (Varicella-Zoster virus). In Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020: 1849-1856
Method Description
The BioPlex 2200 Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) IgG assay uses multiplex flow immunoassay technology. Briefly, serum samples are mixed and incubated at 37° C with sample diluent and dyed beads coated with VZV antigen. After a wash cycle, antihuman IgG-antibody conjugated to phycoerythrin (PE) is added to the mixture and incubated at 37° C. Excess conjugate is removed in another wash cycle, and the beads are resuspended in wash buffer. The bead mixture then passes through a detector that identifies the bead based on dye fluorescence and determines the amount of antibody captured by the antigen based on the fluorescence of the attached PE. Raw data is calculated in relative fluorescence intensity.
Three additional dyed beads, an internal standard bead, a serum verification bead, and a reagent blank bead are present in each reaction mixture to verify detector response, the addition of serum to the reaction vessel and the absence of significant nonspecific binding in serum.(Package insert: BioPlex 2200 System MMRV IgG, Bio-Rad Laboratories; 02/2019)
Report Available
Same day/1 to 3 daysReject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | Reject |
| Gross icterus | Reject |
| Heat-inactivated specimen | Reject |
NY State Approved
YesMethod Name
Multiplex Flow Immunoassay (MFI)
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following forms with the specimen:
-General Request (T239)