Detection of varicella-zoster virus DNA using the polymerase chain reaction in an immunocompromised patient with transverse myelitis secondary to herpes zoster.

A case of herpes zoster transverse myelitis is described in which the clinical diagnosis was confirmed by demonstrating the presence of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by amplification using the polymerase chain reaction. This case illustrates the potential role of the selective amplification of VZV DNA from CSF in contributing to the diagnosis of neurological complications associated with VZV infection.