title: Evaluation of 2 multiplex real-time PCR assays for the detection of HSV-1/2 and Varicella zoster virus directly from clinical samples.
abstract: We compared the performance of 2 multiplex assays (Focus Simplexa and Quidel Lyra) to individual real-time PCR for the detection of herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), HSV-2, and Varicella zoster virus (VZV) from clinical specimens. Results were compared to a consensus standard, defined as the result obtained by at least 2 of the 3 molecular methods. The sensitivity of the Quidel assay ranged from 92.0% for HSV-1 to 97.7% for HSV-2, while the specificity for all targets was 100%. The Focus assay demonstrated 100% sensitivity for all targets, and the percent specificity ranged from 96.8% for HSV-1 to 100% for HSV-2 and VZV.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Phillip R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Heaton
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Espy
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. Electronic address: binnicker.matthew@mayo.edu.
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Binnicker
mesh_terms: D002644:Chickenpox / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
keywords: HSV; Multiplex; Real-time PCR; VZV