Determination of immunity to varicella-zoster virus by means of an intradermal skin test

J Infect Dis. 1985 Nov;152(5):869-75. doi: 10.1093/infdis/152.5.869.

Abstract

An intradermal varicella skin test, utilizing heat-inactivated noninfectious viral antigen, was evaluated in 16 adults known to be immune or susceptible to varicella and in 109 adults with no history of varicella. The skin test was well tolerated, compared favorably with established methods of determining immunity to varicella, and accurately predicted which subjects would develop clinical varicella after close exposure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis
  • Antigens, Viral
  • Chickenpox / immunology*
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Herpesvirus 3, Human / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity, Delayed*
  • Immunity, Cellular
  • Intradermal Tests* / adverse effects
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Middle Aged
  • Skin Tests* / adverse effects
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral