Brush cytology of Herpes Simplex virus infection in oral mucosa: Use of the ThinPrep® processor

Immunohistology of Infectious Diseases

“…However, the diagnosis of HSV infection can be difficult when the characteristic intranuclear inclusions or multinucleated cells, or both, are absent or when the amount of tissue in a biopsy specimen is small. 29,30 Although polyclonal antibodies against the major HSV glycoprotein antigens are sensitive, they do not allow distinction between HSV-1 and HSV-2 because these two viruses are antigenically similar. 27,28 Immunohistochemistry using either polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies against HSV antigens has proven to be a sensitive and specific technique to diagnose HSV infections ( Fig.…”

Oral hairy leukoplakia diagnosis by Epstein–Barr virus in situ hybridization in liquid‐based cytology

“…For cytological method validation, a technique utilizing in situ EBV detection, such as immunocytochemistry or in situ hybridization, is necessary . In situ techniques are able to differentiate viral particles present in saliva from those infecting a keratinocyte, and to associate these molecular findings with morphological features.…”

“…Some authors have attempted to develop in situ techniques to detect virus infection, such as immunocytochemistry and hybridization, which could be applied on samples obtained from exfoliative cytology . Kobayashi and colleagues detected herpes simplex virus in genital and oral mucosa using a ThinPrep ® technique. Walling et al .…”

Usefulness of oral cytopathology in the diagnosis of infectious diseases

“…Reactivation of HSV‐1 in the sensory ganglions causes cutaneous and mucocutaneous herpetic infections ( herpes labialis ) (Figure 1a) and, much less commonly, in the oral mucosa, usually on keratinized surfaces ( recurrent herpetic stomatitis ), generally in immunocompromized patients 6 . However, a primary herpetic infection of the mouth may be confused with other oral ulcerative diseases 6,8 . A laboratory diagnosis is then required, especially in immunocompromized patients, who can show lesions occurring at any site intraorally, forming ulcers with a very atypical appearance 9 …”

“…The cytological presentation of HSV is characteristic 8 . The cytopathic effects of HSV‐1 can be visualized by the Pap stain.…”