Varicella-Zoster Viruses in the Same Individual

Varicella-zoster viruses recovered from 2 episodes of herpes zoster in an immunocompetent man were found to be dif-ferent genotypes. The fact that the 2 isolates came from the same individual was confirmed by DNA fingerprinting. Im-munity following chickenpox may not always protect against systemic reinfection. This finding raises questions about var-icella-zoster virus pathogenesis and may have an impact on public health policy. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes varicella, following which the virus becomes latent in the dorsal root and cranial nerve ganglia; in 25 % of individuals who experience varicella, the virus later reactivates and causes zoster [1]. Despite lifelong immunity following primary infection, cases of recurrent chick-enpox and (more rarely) zoster have been described. To our knowledge, this case provides the first evidence for latent per