[Comparative evaluation of herpes virus detection using fluorescence-labeled monoclonal antibodies and electron microscopy negative contrast technic in dermatovenereologic diseases. Results of a pilot study of 30 patients].

Thirty patients with different dermatologic and venereal symptoms apparently indicating herpes were examined for the presence of viruses. Two different procedures were compared: electron-microscopic analysis of negatively stained material and light-microscopic analysis of direct smears using fluorescence-labelled monoclonal mouse antibodies against herpesvirus type 1 and type 2. In 12 of the patients herpesvirus was demonstrated by at least one of the two methods: in 9 patients the specimens were positive with both methods; in 2 patients only light microscopy yielded evidence of virus material; in 1 case virus material was revealed only by electron microscopy. If electron-microscopic analysis of negatively stained clinical material is considered the standard method, the fluorescence test had a sensitivity and specificity of 90%. Thus, in the near future the latter technique may supersede the highly laborious electron-microscope method of investigation.