Clinicopathologic understanding and control of varicella-zoster virus infection

As reflections by the recipient for the Japanese society for vaccinology Takahashi award, clinicopathologic understanding and control of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection was briefly reviewed. In 1974, a live varicella vaccine was developed by attenuating the Oka strain of VZV after the passages in non-human cells at a low temperature. The vaccine was immunogenic, well tolerated, and effective, and distributed worldwide so far. For post-exposure prophylaxis of varicella, the vaccine and acyclovir is effectively used in the incubation period of varicella. The delayed type hypersensitivity to VZV skin test antigen was applied for evaluation of cell-mediated immunity to VZV which is commercially available in Japan. The biphasic viremia during incubation period of varicella and airborne spread of VZV from varicella patients and from herpes zoster patients with localized lesions were shown by the virus isolation or by detection of the virus DNA.