Spread of varicella-zoster virus DNA to the environment from varicella patients who were treated with oral acyclovir.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the present study was to determine the degree of spread of varicella-zoster virus to the environment (VZV) from varicella patients who received oral acyclovir treatment.

METHODS

Over a period of 8 months, seven healthy children (two girls and five boys, 23-64 months of age) with varicella who visited Fujita Health University School of Medicine were treated with routine doses of oral acyclovir (ACV) for 5 days, commencing within 24 h after onset of the disease. Swab samples from the throats of patients and their family members as well as from air purifier filters in their houses were collected for 7 days as frequently as possible after starting treatment for the disease. The VZV DNA in the samples was identified by a sensitive polymerase chain reaction amplification assay.

RESULTS

The VZV DNA was detected in 33-100% of throat swab samples from varicella patients by day 7 of the disease, in 17-32% of throat swab samples from family members by day 4 and in 29% of filters from air purifiers by day 3.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest a broad spread of VZV, probably by the airborne route, from the patients with varicella even after the administration of oral ACV.