title: Optimizing PCR positivity criterion for detection of herpes simplex virus DNA on skin and mucosa.
abstract: In 1997, we developed a PCR assay for the detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA. Recently, we determined an optimal positivity criterion based on research specimens and a dilution study. We found that a cutoff of 50 HSV DNA copies/ml of swab specimen, a level 10-fold lower than our previous cutoff, minimizes misclassification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, 600 Broadway, Suite 400, Seattle, WA 98122, USA. amag@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Amalia S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Magaret
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wald
authors.forename: Meei-Li
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Stacy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Selke
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Corey
mesh_terms: D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012867:Skin / Q000821:virology*; D017201:Virus Shedding
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral