[Serologic examination for childhood herpes simplex virus infection].
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to investigate the value of serologic examination in the diagnosis of childhood herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection.


METHODS
Serum samples were collected from 2 436 outpatients and inpatients. The samples were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 321 samples which were assayed for HSV-1 IgG, HSV-1 IgM, HSV-2 IgG or HSV-2 IgM antibody using herpes simplex virus antibody kits between January 2003 and November 2005. Group 2 consisted of 2115 samples which were assayed for HSV-2 IgG and IgM antibodies by TORCH testing between October 2004 and November 2005.


RESULTS
In Group 1, the total seroprevalence of HSV infection was 44.6%, with 38.9% being HSV-1 positive and 15.9% HSV-2 positive; HSV-IgM positivity was found in 41.1% and 25.5% were HSV-IgG positive; HSV-1 seroprevalence significantly increased with age (P < 0.05). In Group 2 the seroprevalence of HSV-2 infection was 1.9%; all of the samples were HSV-2 IgG positive.


CONCLUSIONS
HSV serologic examination is useful in the diagnosis of HSV infection in children.
Tang
Jian-Ping
JP
Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China. jpingtang@126.com
Yang
Yu-Jia
YJ
Zhang
Dan
D
Li
Li-Ping
LP
D000293:Adolescent; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012698:Serologic Tests; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M