A random PCR screening system for the identification of type 1 human herpes simplex virus.
Several viral diseases exhibit measles-like symptoms. Differentiation of suspected cases of measles with molecular epidemiological techniques in the laboratory is useful for measles surveillance. In this study, a random PCR screening system was undertaken for the identification of isolates from patients with measles-like symptoms who exhibited cytopathic effects, but who had negative results for measles virus-specific reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and indirect immunofluorescence assays. Sequence analysis of random amplified PCR products showed that they were highly homologous to type 1 human herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). The results were further confirmed by an HSV-1-specific TaqMan real-time PCR assay. The random PCR screening system described in this study provides an efficient procedure for the identification of unknown viral pathogens. Measles-like symptoms can also be caused by HSV-1, suggesting the need to include HSV-1 in differential diagnoses of measles-like diseases.
Yu
Xuelian
X
Scientific Research Unit, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, China.
Shi
Bisheng
B
Gong
Yan
Y
Zhang
Xiaonan
X
Shen
Silan
S
Qian
Fangxing
F
Gu
Shimin
S
Hu
Yunwen
Y
Yuan
Zhenghong
Z
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult