Antibody to early antigens of varicella-zoster virus during varicella and zoster.

IgG antibody to the early antigens of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) was studied during both varicella and zoster by the indirect immunoperoxidase antibody technique. In parallel, complement-fixing, immune-adherence hemagglutinating, IgG, and IgM antibodies to VZV were studied. In both varicella and zoster infections, antibody to the early antigens of VZV appeared three to five days after onset of infection, reached a peak during the second week, and progressively decreased in titer until it disappeared, usually within two months. This antibody usually appeared slightly later than IgG or IgM antibody and grossly correlated with IgM antibody in varicella. In zoster infections, IgM antibody to VZV was not found by the immune-adherence hemagglutination assay at a titer of greater than or equal to 1:4, whereas antibody to the early antigens showed a curve similar to that found in varicella. It is suggested that antibody to the early antigens of VZV be considered as a marker of acute VZV infection, which is associated with a specific and significant IgM antibody response in varicella but not in zoster.