Evaluation of a monoclonal antibody for detection of varicella-zoster virus infections using a shell vial technique.

Standard cell culture and a shell vial technique using a monoclonal antibody were compared for the detection of varicella-zoster virus in 167 mucocutaneous specimens. Of 75 specimens from patients clinically diagnosed with varicella or zoster, a total of 40 (53.3%) were positive by either method (4 positive only by conventional culture and 4 only by shell vial). No false-positive results were obtained with shell vials stained after 48 h of incubation. This technique is rapid, 100% specific, and should be a good alternative to cell culture. Both techniques are equally influenced by antiviral treatment or by the time of evolution of disease.