Comparison of standard culture methods, a shell vial assay, and a DNA probe for the detection of herpes simplex virus.
A nonradioactive, biotinylated herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA probe, a shell vial (rabbit kidney cell) culture assay enhanced by a direct fluorescent (HSV monoclonal)-antibody stain at 16 to 20 h postinoculation, and conventional tube cultures with confirmation via HSV-specific (polyclonal antibody) immunoperoxidase assay were compared for 199 specimens. The predictive values of the positive results were 54.5% for the probe, 95.9% for the shell vial assay, and 100% for the conventional culture methods, while the predictive values of the negative tests were 68.1, 84.0, and 98.4%, respectively. We conclude that the DNA probe (sensitivity, 24.5%; specificity, 88.3%) and the shell vial assay (sensitivity, 66.2%; specificity, 98.4%) cannot be substituted for conventional tube culture techniques (sensitivity, 97.1%; specificity, 100%) in the routine identification of HSV in our laboratory.
Seal
L A
LA
Department of Pathology, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii 96859-5000.
Toyama
P S
PS
Fleet
K M
KM
Lerud
K S
KS
Heth
S R
SR
Moorman
A J
AJ
Woods
J C
JC
Hill
R B
RB
D015342:DNA Probes; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods*; D014776:Virus Cultivation
D015342:DNA Probes