title: Rapid detection of herpes-simplex-virus DNA in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with herpes simplex encephalitis.
abstract: Herpes-simplex-virus (HSV) DNA in cerebrospinal fluid was amplified by use of the polymerase chain reaction and identified by hybridisation to a specific oligonucleotide probe. Specimens of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 4 of 4 patients with herpes simplex encephalitis were positive for HSV DNA, whereas CSF specimens from 6 patients with other central-nervous-system infections were negative. This technique may expedite diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Rowley
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Whitley
authors.forename: F D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Lakeman
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Wolinsky
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000209:etiology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000235:genetics*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral