Absence of IgG Fc receptors on varicella-zoster virus-infected cells.

Herpesvirus-infected cells usually express receptors for the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G. Varicella-zoster virus has so far been the sole exception in the family. Both immunehemadsorption and immunofluorescence techniques failed to detect the expression of such receptors. This observation excludes the possibility of false-positive results in serological tests for antibodies to this virus. It is possible that the function of these receptors early in infection is not needed in the subsequent reactivation(s) of the virus. No variation has been shown to occur with different isolates.