Rapid diagnosis of herpes simplex virus infections by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

A total of 457 clinical specimens were tested for the presence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) by isolation in cell culture and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HSV antigen was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 94% of the clinical specimens from which the virus was isolated. The detection rate was improved to 100% when specimens were either assayed within 24 h or stored frozen at a constant temperature (-20 degrees C) for up to 14 days. Type-specific HSV antigen was also detected in 6% of culture-negative specimens. The assay can be completed in 5 h or less, and commercially available immunoglobulins are used. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is a rapid and sensitive method for the diagnosis of HSV infection and can be used to improve the management of pregnant women with a history of genital herpes and of neonates and others with serious HSV infection which may require specific antiviral therapy. It also offers an alternative to cell culture for routine diagnosis of HSV infections.