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| Varicella-zoster virus
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It belongs to the genus Varicellovirus and the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae , family Herpesviridae. It is closely related to the Herpes simplex viruses, sharing much genome homology. It is usually spherical and 150-200 nm in diameter. Its lipid envelope encloses the nucleocapsid of 162 capsomere s arranged in a hexagonal form. Its DNA is a single linear, double strand molecule, 125,000 nt long.
The virus is very susceptible to disinfectants, notably sodium hypochlorite. Within the body it is combatted by a number of drugs including vidarabine , zoster immune globulin (ZIG), and acyclovir. A live-virus vaccinesyringe containing the influenza vaccine. A vaccine (named after vaccinia, the infectious agent of cowpox, which, when inoculated, provides protection against smallpox) is used to prepare a human or animal's immune system to defend the body against a spec has been approved and is sold under the name Varivax. It was developed by Merck, Sharp & DohmeMerck & Co. or Merck Sharp and Dohme (as it is known outside the USA and Canada) is a US pharmaceutical company. It was originally the US subsidiary of the German company, Merck KGaA. In common with many other German assets in the United States, Merck & C in the 1970s from a virus isolated by Mishiaki Takahashi and identified as Oka. It had a series of tests in the 1980s and was offered to the FDA for approval in 1990 and was finally passed in 1995.