Detection and application value of varicella-zoster virus in saliva of patients with herpes zoster / 医学研究生学报

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo assess the clinical application value of saliva samples from patients with herpes zosterzoster.MethodsSaliva and serum samples of 55 patients with herpes zoster were collected. Patients were split into mild and moderate group and serious group based on the clinical score table. Paid a follow-up visit for the occurrence of PHN three months after the lesion healed. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect varicella-zoster virus load in saliva and serum, and then observed and verified by transmission electron microscope.ResultsThe positive rates of VZV DNA in saliva and blood samples were 87% and 85% respectively. Transmission electron microscopy showed virus pellets in saliva of patients. The VZV DNA load in saliva in serious group (5.79±2.94) copies/mLwas overtopped than that in mild to moderate group (3.06±2.59) copies/mL (t=3.58, P=0.00). Compared the viral loads in saliva of PHN group(5.82±3.12) copies/mL and non-PHN group (3.84±2.96) copies/mL, t=1.54, P=0.13.ConclusionThe positive rate of VZV DNA in saliva of herpes zoster patients is high, the load is related to clinical symptoms. So saliva can be used for the diagnosis of HZ and assessing the patients′ condition.