Herpes simplex virus detection from genital lesions: a comparative study using antigen detection (HerpChek) and culture.
The sensitivity of a rapid enzyme immunoassay test (HerpChek Direct Herpes Simplex Virus Antigen Test [DuPont Medical Products, Wilmington, Del.]) for the detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) antigens in patient specimens was compared with HSV culture. HerpChek positivity for HSV occurred with 179 (65%) of 275 lesion specimens, whereas culture for HSV was positive for 145 (53%) lesions (P = 0.002). HerpChek was twice as sensitive as culture for the detection of HSV in late-stage lesions and was equivalent to culture for the detection of HSV in early lesions. We conclude that HerpChek provides greater sensitivity than culture for HSV detection in late-stage genital lesions.
Cone
R W
RW
Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Swenson
P D
PD
Hobson
A C
AC
Remington
M
M
Corey
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods; D014776:Virus Cultivation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000956:Antigens, Viral