VZV is unique among the herpes viruses in its transmission by inhalation of aerosolized virus particles. Infection via the respiratory route increases the opportunity for rapid spread of the virus through susceptible populations and exposure of those already latently infected.
The genotyping of VZV helps to better understand differences in properties of individual wild type and/or vaccine VZV strains; inform about pathogenic potential of individual VZV strains and help to detect mutations in functionally important gene and analyze their effects on phenotype.