title: Spread of varicella-zoster virus DNA to the environment from varicella patients who were treated with oral acyclovir.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was to determine the degree of spread of varicella-zoster virus to the environment (VZV) from varicella patients who received oral acyclovir treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over a period of 8 months, seven healthy children (two girls and five boys, 23-64 months of age) with varicella who visited Fujita Health University School of Medicine were treated with routine doses of oral acyclovir (ACV) for 5 days, commencing within 24 h after onset of the disease. Swab samples from the throats of patients and their family members as well as from air purifier filters in their houses were collected for 7 days as frequently as possible after starting treatment for the disease. The VZV DNA in the samples was identified by a sensitive polymerase chain reaction amplification assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The VZV DNA was detected in 33-100% of throat swab samples from varicella patients by day 7 of the disease, in 17-32% of throat swab samples from family members by day 4 and in 29% of filters from air purifiers by day 3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest a broad spread of VZV, probably by the airborne route, from the patients with varicella even after the administration of oral ACV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan.
authors.forename: Kyoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Tetsushi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ihira
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ohashi
authors.forename: Sadao
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suga
authors.forename: Yoshizo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Asano
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000391:Air Microbiology; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010614:Pharynx / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D000212:Acyclovir