HSV-1 and HSV-2 in herpes simplex encephalitis: a study of sixty-four cases in the United Kingdom.
The incidence of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) was investigated using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from sixty-four cases of HSE. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) employing primers flanking a region of the HSV thymidine kinase gene common to both HSV-1 and HSV-2 was used to detect HSV in the CSF. HSV-1 and HSV-2 were differentiated by digestion with restriction enzymes. Two enzymes were employed; Aval which cleaved only the HSV-2 gene product and Avall which cleaved only the HSV-1 gene product. Sixty-three cases of HSE were found to be due to HSV-1; one case due to HSV-2. These data confirm previous observations that HSV-2 is a rare cause of post-neonatal herpes encephalitis but indicates that a PCR procedure capable of detection of both viruses is essential for efficient diagnosis of HSE.
Dennett
C
C
Department of Pathological Sciences, University of Manchester, UK.
Cleator
G M
GM
Klapper
P E
PE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000235:genetics; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; D018792:Encephalitis, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
D004279:DNA, Viral; C028678:CYCGRG-specific type II deoxyribonucleases; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; C038308:GGWCC-specific type II deoxyribonucleases