What Causes Shingles?
8. Diagnosis
The identification of shingles can be made based on the rash as there are very few conditions that causes a rash that presents in a dermatomal pattern. In the early or late stages of the disease when the rash is absent, diagnosis can be difficult. Some laboratory tests that can be beneficial are those that detect the igM antibody for VZV that can only be seen during chickenpox or shingles.
The lymph collected from a blister can be examined using an electron microscope for virus particles or by polymerase chain reaction of the DNA of VZV. Tests based on in vitro nucleic acid amplification are the most reliable. Nested polymerase chain reaction test is susceptible to contamination and can cause false positive results. The latest tests are rapid and easy to perform.
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