Light microscopy, culture, molecular, and serologic methods for detection of herpes simplex virus. J Clin Microbiol 2014 Jan;52(1):2-8
Date
10/18/2013Pubmed ID
24131689Pubmed Central ID
PMC3911428DOI
10.1128/JCM.01966-13Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84891418459 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 53 CitationsAbstract
Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) cause a variety of human diseases, ranging from acute to chronic and mild to severe. The absence of curative therapy results in lifelong carriage marked by recurrent outbreaks and allows transmission of the virus to uninfected individuals. Nonspecific lesions, variable presentation, and chronic carriage necessitate the use of different laboratory testing methods appropriate for each presentation. A thorough understanding of the performance characteristics and limitations of available tests is critical for selection of the appropriate test and interpretation of results. Clinical sensitivity, specificity, and selection of the appropriate methodology is paramount to avoid misdiagnosis and guide therapy. In this article we review the different methods for detection and typing of HSV, including light microscopy, culture, serology, and nucleic acid-based tests. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each method for diagnosing HSV infection, cite performance characteristics, and review appropriate clinical uses.
Author List
Anderson NW, Buchan BW, Ledeboer NAAuthors
Blake W. Buchan PhD Professor in the Pathology department at Medical College of WisconsinNathan A. Ledeboer PhD Chief, Professor in the Pathology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Herpes SimplexHumans
Microscopy
Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
Sensitivity and Specificity
Serologic Tests
Simplexvirus
Virus Cultivation
