Detection of herpes simplex virus in clinical specimens using a DNA probe after centrifugal inoculation of A549 cells.
Two methods for detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in 216 clinical specimens were compared: (a) 24-well plate centrifugation using A-549 cells followed by nucleic acid hybridization (Ortho Diagnostic Systems, Inc., Raritan, NJ) after incubation for 16 to 18 h, and (b) conventional tube cell culture using A-549 cells. HSV was identified by conventional tube cell culture in 44 of 216 specimens (20%) and in 36 specimens (17%) by the centrifugation-hybridization method (P less than 0.01). HSV was recovered by tissue culture from all specimens positive by centrifugation-hybridization. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the centrifugation-hybridization technique for detection of HSV in clinical specimens were 82, 100, 100, and 96%, respectively. Centrifugal inoculation of A549 cells in 24-well plates followed by nucleic acid hybridization after overnight incubation should not replace conventional tube cell culture for detection of HSV in clinical specimens.
Woods
G L
GL
Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68105.
Yam
P
P
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002498:Centrifugation; D015342:DNA Probes; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014776:Virus Cultivation
D015342:DNA Probes; D004279:DNA, Viral