title: Should varicella-zoster virus culture be eliminated? A comparison of direct immunofluorescence antigen detection, culture, and PCR, with a historical review.
abstract: A comparison of direct fluorescent-antibody assay (DFA), culture, and two PCR assays disclosed sensitivities of 87.8%, 46.3%, and 97.6% and 100%, respectively. We reviewed 1,150 results for clinical specimens submitted for DFA and culture and found that only 17 were culture positive/DFA negative. The incremental cost to detect these 17 positives was $3,078/specimen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yen-Lieberman
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schindler
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Asamoto
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Schold
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Procop
mesh_terms: D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct / Q000379:methods; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014776:Virus Cultivation / Q000379:methods