Participants were followed for at least 90 days
after the onset of the episode or until the rash
resolved and the participant was pain-free for
4 weeks. For each suspected case, the rash was
photographed and samples were collected from
three lesions to confirm the diagnosis of herpes
zoster by means of real-time polymerase-chainreaction
(PCR) assay targeting VZV ORF62.25