Comparative restriction endonuclease analysis of varicella-zoster virus clinical isolates

The DNAs of 67 isolates of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) obtained from 31 individuals were compared by restriction endonuclease analysis using BamHI, EcoRI, PstI and SmaI. All of the epidemiologically unrelated 26 isolates could be differentiated using SmaI and another one or two enzymes. However, the DNA cleavage profiles of multiple VZV isolates from the same patient and the isolates from a group of patients who were infected with VZV from the same source were found to be identical to each other, as reported previously. No patients were found who were simultaneously infected with different VZV strains. Moreover, VZV showed no change in DNA fragment profiles after serial passages not only through human embryonic lung cells but also through patients.