Rapid diagnostic tests for cutaneous eruptions of herpes simplex.

Comparison was made of the results of virus isolation, indirect immunofluorescent staining (IF-test) and Tzanck smears from 32 patients with cutaneous eruptions clinically diagnosed as herpes simplex. Herpesvirus hominis was isolated from 21 patients; IF-test was positive in 22 patients; Tzanch smears were positive in 20 patients. 23 to 25 of the 25 patients in whom one of the diagnostic tests was positive could be identified by a combination of any two of the diagnostic methods employed. No false-positive reactions were observed for IF-test or Tzanck smear.