Prenatal diagnosis of congenital varicella syndrome and detection of varicella-zoster virus in the fetus: a case report.

Varicella syndrome (VS) specific malformations were sonographically seen at 22 weeks and 3 days of gestation. Fetal infection was demonstrated by detection of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) DNA in fetal blood and amniotic fluid by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Following therapeutic abortion, fetal infection was confirmed by detection of VZV DNA in several fetal tissues and placenta, and by histopathological findings like miliary calcified necroses in fetal organs.