Type-specific testing for herpes simplex virus.
The prevalence of genital herpes is increasing worldwide. Type-specific antibody tests for herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) are widely available, however, only those based on glycoprotein G have acceptable accuracy. When diagnosing genital herpes, it is important to use type-specific tests in order to distinguish HSV-1 from HSV-2 since the type of HSV infection affects prognosis and subsequent counseling. Populations appropriate for type-specific serologic testing for HSV include people with an uncertain clinical diagnosis, high-risk patients, partners of an HSV-infected individual, HIV-infected individuals and pregnant women.
Strick
Lara
L
Seattle HIV Prevention Trials Unit, 901 Boren Ave., Suite 1300, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. strick@u.washington.edu
Wald
Anna
A
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000378:metabolism*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012698:Serologic Tests; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C045464:glycoprotein G, herpes simplex virus type 2