Comparison of viral isolation, direct immunofluorescence, and indirect immunoperoxidase techniques for detection of genital herpes simplex virus infection.
Seventy-six consecutive patients presenting to a genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) clinic were enrolled in a study comparing viral isolation (VI), indirect immunoperoxidase (indirect IP), and direct immunofluorescence (direct FA) techniques for the detection of HSV antigen. Of the 76 patients, 61 (80%) demonstrated HSV by VI, compared with 66% by indirect IP and 55% by direct FA (P less than 0.05). Genital lesions from nine patients demonstrated HSV antigen by direct FA or indirect IP but were VI negative; eight of nine patients had subsequent episodes of genital HSV confirmed by VI. During the vesicular-pustular stage of the disease, VI was positive in 90%, indirect IP was positive in 76%, and direct FA was positive in 71% of the lesions, whereas with ulcerative lesions, VI was positive in 72%, indirect IP was positive in 55%, and direct FA was positive in 38%. These commercially available rapid viral diagnostic techniques are specific and useful, if adequate specimens are obtained from early genital lesions.
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D000956:Antigens, Viral