No abstract

SYNOPSIS Direct immunofluorescence staining for herpes simplex virus was applied to cryostat sections of 43 specimens removed at brain biopsy. Herpes antigen was found in 10 specimens and virus was isolated from them. Antigen was found in one specimen from which virus was not isolated. Two specimens from which virus was isolated gave equivocal fluorescence. Thirty specimens gave no fluorescence or live virus. Immunofluorescence provided a diagnosis in three hr compared with 24-42 hr for virus isolation.Indirect immunofluorescence staining was applied to sections of brain removed at necropsy and fixed in formalin. Herpes antigen was found in sections of six of the 12 brains examined.Over the past 10 years there has been a growing awareness of the encephalitis caused by herpes simplex virus, and the most recent survey (Illis and Gostling, 1972) shows that the mortality of untreated cases may be as high as 70% and that survivors are frequently left with serious physical and mental disabilities. Dodge and Cure (1956) made the first attempt, unsuccessfully, to culture herpes virus from brain tissue removed at biopsy as a diagnostic procedure.