Biomaterial Database

Detection of varicella-zoster virus by dot-blot hybridization using a molecularly cloned viral DNA probe. 1984

M Seidlin, and H E Takiff, and H A Smith, and J Hay, and S E Straus

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection can be definitively diagnosed by isolation of virus in cell culture, a process that usually takes 7-14 days. In order to facilitate the more rapid detection of this virus, we developed a technique for hybridization of DNA from clinical specimens using an in vitro-labeled mixture of cloned fragments of VZV DNA as a probe. The assay can be completed in 36-48 hr and can be successfully carried out in the range of 10 pg to 10 ng of viral DNA. In analyses of 38 specimens from patients with a clinical diagnosis of VZV infection, the results of viral isolation and this assay were highly concordant. The sensitivity of standard cell culture for detection of VZV was 58%, whereas the sensitivity of the assay was 76%, not significantly different (P = 0.14). The specificity of cell culture was 100%, whereas that of the assay was 94% (P = 0.49). The technique appears to be sensitive, specific, and useful for analyses of tissues and body fluids.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009693	Nucleic Acid Hybridization	Widely used technique which exploits the ability of complementary sequences in single-stranded DNAs or RNAs to pair with each other to form a double helix. Hybridization can take place between two complimentary DNA sequences, between a single-stranded DNA and a complementary RNA, or between two RNA sequences. The technique is used to detect and isolate specific sequences, measure homology, or define other characteristics of one or both strands. (Kendrew, Encyclopedia of Molecular Biology, 1994, p503)	Genomic Hybridization,Acid Hybridization, Nucleic,Acid Hybridizations, Nucleic,Genomic Hybridizations,Hybridization, Genomic,Hybridization, Nucleic Acid,Hybridizations, Genomic,Hybridizations, Nucleic Acid,Nucleic Acid Hybridizations
D011446	Prospective Studies	Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group.	Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D001768	Blister	Visible accumulations of fluid within or beneath the epidermis.	Bulla,Vesication,Bleb,Bullae,Bullous Lesion,Blebs,Blisters,Bullous Lesions,Lesion, Bullous,Lesions, Bullous,Vesications
D002644	Chickenpox	A highly contagious infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (HERPESVIRUS 3, HUMAN). It usually affects children, is spread by direct contact or respiratory route via droplet nuclei, and is characterized by the appearance on the skin and mucous membranes of successive crops of typical pruritic vesicular lesions that are easily broken and become scabbed. Chickenpox is relatively benign in children, but may be complicated by pneumonia and encephalitis in adults. (From Dorland, 27th ed)	Varicella,Chicken Pox
D003001	Cloning, Molecular	The insertion of recombinant DNA molecules from prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic sources into a replicating vehicle, such as a plasmid or virus vector, and the introduction of the resultant hybrid molecules into recipient cells without altering the viability of those cells.	Molecular Cloning
D004279	DNA, Viral	Deoxyribonucleic acid that makes up the genetic material of viruses.	Viral DNA
D006561	Herpes Simplex	A group of acute infections caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 or type 2 that is characterized by the development of one or more small fluid-filled vesicles with a raised erythematous base on the skin or mucous membrane. It occurs as a primary infection or recurs due to a reactivation of a latent infection. (Dorland, 27th ed.)	Herpes Simplex Virus Infection
D006562	Herpes Zoster	An acute infectious, usually self-limited, disease believed to represent activation of latent varicella-zoster virus (HERPESVIRUS 3, HUMAN) in those who have been rendered partially immune after a previous attack of CHICKENPOX. It involves the SENSORY GANGLIA and their areas of innervation and is characterized by severe neuralgic pain along the distribution of the affected nerve and crops of clustered vesicles over the area. (From Dorland, 27th ed)	Shingles,Zona,Zoster
D006566	Herpesviridae Infections	Virus diseases caused by the HERPESVIRIDAE.	Herpesvirus Infections,B Virus Infection,Infections, Herpesviridae,Infections, Herpesvirus,B Virus Infections,Herpesviridae Infection,Herpesvirus Infection,Infection, B Virus,Infection, Herpesviridae,Infection, Herpesvirus,Infections, B Virus
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man