Investigation of varicella-zoster virus DNA in lymphocyte subpopulations by quantitative PCR assay

To investigate the nature of viremia during the acute phase of varicella, w e studied the viral load in nine otherwise healthy children with varicella, Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained, then P BMC were divided into CD4+T, CD8+T, and B lymphocytes and monocyte/macropha ge fractions, The viral DNA in each component was quantified using a real-t ime quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay. Varicella-zoster virus (V ZV) DNA was detected in plasma, PBMC and all subpopulations, The amount of viral DNA was similar in each PBMC subpopulation, suggesting that each lymp hocyte fraction and monocytes carry similar amounts of VZV DNA during virem ia.