Early detection of Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV)-specific T-cells before seroconversion in primary varicella infection: case report

Here we report the case of a 54-year old, immunocompetent German
patient with primary varicella whose Varicella-Zoster Virus
(VZV)-specific T-cell responses could be detected early in
infection and before the onset of seroconversion. This case
demonstrates that the detection of VZV-specific T-cells may under
certain circumstances support the diagnosis of a primary varicella
infection, as for example in cases of atypical or subclinical
varicella or in the absence of detectable VZV DNA in plasma.