Detection of varicella-zoster virus-specific iga antibodies in varicella and zoster patients and in healthy adults of various ages by solid-phase radioimmunoassay

The varicella-zoster virus(VZV)-specific serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) response was studied in varicella and zoster patients and in healthy adults of various ages by a sensitive solid-phase radioimmunoassay technique. Significant rises in VZV-specific IgA titer were found for both varicella and zoster patients, while VZV-specific IgA was also detected in > 90% of healthy adults but at lower titers. No significant decrease in VZV-specific IgA titer with increasing age was found. The role of humoral versus cell-mediated immunity in VZV reactivation is discussed.