Saliva a potential transmitter of varicella in patients with herpes zoster

Saliva could be a source of transmission for varicella zoster virus in ambulatory adult patients with localized herpes zoster, according to data from a study poster presented at the American Academy of Dermatology Summer Meeting.

A total of 20 adult ambulatory patients with localized herpes zoster (confirmed by varicella zoster virus PCR in cutaneous lesions) and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy control patients with positive varicella zoster virus immunoglobulin G were included in the study. The researchers obtained blood samples, throat swab samples and saliva samples for each patient. Between-group differences were compared used the Fischer test.

One in 20 patients with herpes zoster had varicella zoster virus DNA in their blood sample, two in 20 patients had varicella zoster virus DNA in their saliva sample, and control patients had negative PCR for varicella zoster virus in all samples, according to the researchers. The between-group differences were not considered statistically significant.

In addition to saliva being a potential transmitter of varicella zoster virus in this population, the researchers concluded that patients with localized herpes zoster may have varicella zoster virus DNA in their blood.

Reference: Droppelman K. Poster #1. Presented at: The American Academy of Dermatology Summer Meeting; August 6-10, 2014; Chicago, IL.

Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.