title: Role of serology in the diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis.
abstract: Twenty one cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/brain tissue (16 CSF and 5 brain tissue) from patients clinically suspected of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) were collected during one year period and was subjected for the detection of HSV type I and type II antigen by direct Immunofluorescence (DIF). Paired serum and CSF samples obtained from 12 patients were tested for herpes simplex virus antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence test. Of the 21 cases, two were positive for HSV-1 antigen in CSF and one in brain tissue by DIF. Virus specific IgG antibody in paired CSF and serum samples was positive in one case only. In none, virus could be grown in verocell line. In 2 Patients antemortem diagnosis was possible and parenteral acyclovir could be administered in one case that recovered following treatment. Thus, besides antibody detection, direct immunofluorescence is an useful and rapid method for the early diagnosis of HSE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Ratho
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sethi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D020803:Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral