Variation in the structure of varicella-zoster virus DNA.

By analyzing the fine structure of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) DNA, a naturally occurring heterogeneity was found on the right end of VZV DNA, but no evidence of a true terminal repetition was uncovered. We were unable to confirm the report of Straus and co-workers (1981) that there is a relatively high frequency of circular VZV DNA in low-passage virus. On long-term cell passage, extensive heterogeneity appeared concomitant with the accumulation of apparently defective VZV DNA.