title: Early diagnosis of herpes zoster by polymerase chain reaction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Herpes zoster is a common disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The use of virostatic agents as early as possible is necessary in shortening zoster-associated pain.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Rapid diagnosis is necessary for the optimal efficacy of antiviral therapy. The diagnosis in the early stage of infection is often difficult.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study skin biopsies of patients with herpes zoster and unclear skin changes were analysed by detecting viral DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in order to amplify open reading frames (ORF) 14, 29 and 63.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Varicella-zoster virus DNA could be detected with PCR of all three ORF not only from blisters but also from erythematous skin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PCR is the method of choice for the viral diagnosis in herpes zoster before blister eruption.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Department, Klinikum Krefeld, Germany. lilie@klinikum-krefeld.de
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Lilie
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Wassilew
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Wolff
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral