DETERMINATION OF VARICELLA-ZOSTER VIRUS (VZV) IMMUNE STATUS WITH THE VIDAS VZV IMMUNOGLOBULIN-G AUTOMATED IMMUNOASSAY AND THE VZVSCAN LATEXAGGLUTINATION ASSAY

The VIDAS varicella-zoster virus (VZV) immunoglobulin G immunoassay an d the VZVScan latex agglutination (LA) test were compared for the dete ction of VZV antibody in patient sera. Of 625 samples tested, 554 were positive for VZV antibody by one or both methods. Five hundred thirte en (82.1%) samples were positive by both methods, 71 (11.4%) were nega tive by both methods, and there were 41 (6.6%) discrepant samples. Sta tistically significant differences in sensitivity and specificity were not found (P = 0.37); however, several observations were made. All 23 VIDAS repeat equivocal samples were LA positive. Fifty-four samples s howed prozone effects with the LA assay, all of which resolved as posi tive.