Longitudinal evaluation of herpes simplex virus DNA load during episodes of herpes labialis.
BACKGROUND
Few studies have performed sequential evaluation of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) load using quantitative PCR during episodes of herpes labialis.


OBJECTIVE
To determine HSV viral load kinetics during recurrences of herpes labialis.


METHODS
Twenty-two subjects were monitored by daily swabs during recurrences of herpes labialis. A real-time PCR detecting both HSV-1 and HSV-2 was used to quantify the viral load.


RESULTS
Median duration of HSV-1 shedding was 60 h and 48 h by PCR and culture, respectively. No HSV-2 DNA was detected in that study. Peak viral DNA load (123.6 copies/cell) occurred at 48 h with no virus detected beyond 96 h of onset of symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
These viral load kinetics data could be used as surrogate markers of antiviral activity in future clinical trials.
Boivin
Guy
G
Infectious Diseases Research Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec and Laval University, Québec City, Quebec, Canada. Guy.Boivin@crchul.ulaval.ca
Goyette
Nathalie
N
Sergerie
Yan
Y
Keays
Sharon
S
Booth
Tristan
T
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006560:Herpes Labialis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology*; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000821:virology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014709:Vero Cells; D019562:Viral Load; D017201:Virus Shedding
D004279:DNA, Viral