BACKGROUND: A sensitive and specific method for detecting herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is important for diagnosing genital and cutaneous infections. GOAL: The goal of this study was to compare quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) with virus culture for diagnosis of genital and cutaneous HSV-1 and HSV-2. STUDY DESIGN: A duplex qPCR system for quantification of DNA from HSV-1 and HSV-2 was developed. Duplicate swabs for PCR and virus culture were collected from 89 patients attending our sexually transmitted infection and dermatology clinic. RESULTS: The duplex qPCR had a linear measure interval of 10-10 copies/mL. The detection limit was between 1 and 5 copies per reaction. qPCR detected HSV in 57 (64%) specimens and virus was isolated in 45 (50%) cases. First-episode infections showed higher viral quantities with a median value of 4.2 x 10 copies per reaction compared with recurrent infections with 1.0 x 10 (P = 0.0002). HSV-1 was more likely to be the cause of first-episode genital infections (72%), and HSV-2 of recurrent and atypical genital manifestations (73%). CONCLUSION: Real-time PCR is a sensitive method for diagnosing genital herpes, and the duplex format is convenient for typing. The method increased the detection rate by 27% compared with virus culture.
BACKGROUND: A sensitive and specific method for detecting herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is important for diagnosing genital and cutaneous infections. GOAL: The goal of this study was to compare quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) with virus culture for diagnosis of genital and cutaneous HSV-1 and HSV-2. STUDY DESIGN: A duplex qPCR system for quantification of DNA from HSV-1 and HSV-2 was developed. Duplicate swabs for PCR and virus culture were collected from 89 patients attending our sexually transmitted infection and dermatology clinic. RESULTS: The duplex qPCR had a linear measure interval of 10-10 copies/mL. The detection limit was between 1 and 5 copies per reaction. qPCR detected HSV in 57 (64%) specimens and virus was isolated in 45 (50%) cases. First-episode infections showed higher viral quantities with a median value of 4.2 x 10 copies per reaction compared with recurrent infections with 1.0 x 10 (P = 0.0002). HSV-1 was more likely to be the cause of first-episode genital infections (72%), and HSV-2 of recurrent and atypical genital manifestations (73%). CONCLUSION: Real-time PCR is a sensitive method for diagnosing genital herpes, and the duplex format is convenient for typing. The method increased the detection rate by 27% compared with virus culture.
Authors: B Aumakhan; S J Gange; C Beyrer; C A Gaydos; H Minkoff; D J Merenstein; M H Cohen; K Anastos; R Greenblatt; M J Nowicki; T C Quinn Journal: Int J STD AIDS Date: 2011-05 Impact factor: 1.359
Authors: Lesia K Dropulic; Makinna C Oestreich; Harlan L Pietz; Kerry J Laing; Sally Hunsberger; Keith Lumbard; Doreen Garabedian; Siu Ping Turk; Aiying Chen; Ronald L Hornung; Chetan Seshadri; Malisa T Smith; Nancy A Hosken; Sanjay Phogat; Lee-Jah Chang; David M Koelle; Kening Wang; Jeffrey I Cohen Journal: J Infect Dis Date: 2019-08-09 Impact factor: 5.226
Authors: Ann J Melvin; Kathleen M Mohan; Joshua T Schiffer; Linda M Drolette; Amalia Magaret; Lawrence Corey; Anna Wald Journal: J Pediatr Date: 2014-12-06 Impact factor: 4.406
Authors: Richard Garceau; Danielle Leblanc; Louise Thibault; Gabriel Girouard; Manon Mallet Journal: Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol Date: 2012 Impact factor: 2.471