Acute varicella-zoster

Screening for varicella-zoster virus (VZV) immunity

Screening for VZV is important in specific populations. Pregnant women, solid organ transplant candidates, bone marrow transplant candidates, and other highly immunosuppressed patients should be screened for evidence of VZV immunity.[44]Pergam SA, Limaye AP, AST Infectious Diseases Community of Practice. Varicella zoster virus in solid organ transplantation: guidelines from the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice. Clin Transplant. 2019 Sep;33(9):e13622. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31162727?tool=bestpractice.com [54]Practice bulletin no. 151: cytomegalovirus, parvovirus B19, varicella zoster, and toxoplasmosis in pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Jun;125(6):1510-25.​ In the US, healthcare workers are required to have documented varicella immunity, and students at most schools are required to have documented varicella immunity.​

In the US, the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention screening criteria for evidence of immunity to varicella include:​[16]Marin M, Güris D, Chaves SS, et al; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention of varicella: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2007 Jun 22;56(RR-4):1-40. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5604a1.htm http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17585291?tool=bestpractice.com

• Documentation of age-appropriate vaccination: (a) 1 dose for pre-school children at least 12 months of age; (b) 2 doses for school-aged children, adolescents, and adults

• Laboratory evidence of immunity or laboratory confirmation of disease

• Born in the US before 1980 (should not be considered evidence of immunity for healthcare personnel, pregnant women, and immunocompromised persons)

• A healthcare provider's diagnosis or verification of history of varicella disease

• A healthcare provider's diagnosis or verification of herpes zoster.