Cellular and humoral immune responses to varicella-zoster virus in immunocompromised patients during and after varicella-zoster infections.

Humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to varicella-zoster (V-Z) virus were assessed in patients during and after V-Z infections. Ongoing V-Z infections was associated with minimal cellular immunity but not necessarily with poor humoral immunity. Recovery from V-Z infection was associated with a vigorous cellular immune response. Cell-mediated immunity to V-Z virus was demonstrable for years after varicella, but responses were lower in immunocompromised patients than in normal individuals.