Genotyping of herpes simplex viruses by polymerase chain reaction.

A simple and rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure was developed for simultaneous detection and genotyping of herpes simplex viruses (HSV) from virus isolates. It was possible to detect and type HSV using only one primer pair from the HSV DNA polymerase coding genes. After PCR the type of HSV present was determined on the basis of size of the ethidium-bromide-stained band after agarose gel electrophoresis. A hybridization test with radioactive target oligonucleotide probes after PCR was also developed to confirm the typing result.