title: Rapid diagnosis of ocular herpes simplex infections.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Surecell herpes (HSV) test kit is a test for detecting the presence of herpes simplex viral antigen by means of a monoclonal antibody based immunoassay. The test has proved to be highly sensitive and specific in diagnosing genital, oral, and dermatological herpes infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, samples from patients with ocular keratitis were evaluated by tissue cultures and the Surecell test. The eyes of New Zealand rabbits were then inoculated with HSV type 1 acute keratitis, acute Staphylococcus keratitis, and HSV type 1 postkeratitis (healed corneas). Tear film samples collected from each eye with a cotton swab were evaluated by routine culture (A-549 monolayers) and by the Surecell test with and without prior placement of the swab in Hank's medium.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Surecell system had a 70% sensitivity and a 100% specificity in the detection of HSV antigen in ocular infections, and was shown to be a quick, efficient, and accurate method of testing for HSV antigen in humans.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results from humans and rabbits indicate that the Surecell test, which requires no special equipment, can be a useful in office adjunct in the clinical diagnosis of ocular herpes simplex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, USA.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Asbell
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kamenar
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Bottone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D011817:Rabbits; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic