Diagnosis of genital herpes simplex virus infection in the clinical laboratory

Abstract

Since the type of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection affects prognosis and subsequent counseling, type-specific testing to distinguish HSV-1 from HSV-2 is always recommended. Although PCR has been the diagnostic standard method for HSV infections of the central nervous system, until now viral culture has been the test of choice for HSV genital infection. However, HSV PCR, with its consistently and substantially higher rate of HSV detection, could replace viral culture as the gold standard for the diagnosis of genital herpes in people with active mucocutaneous lesions, regardless of anatomic location or viral type. Alternatively, antigen detection—an immunofluorescence test or enzyme immunoassay from samples from symptomatic patients--could be employed, but HSV type determination is of importance. Type-specific serology based on glycoprotein G should be used for detecting asymptomatic individuals but widespread screening for HSV antibodies is not recommended. In conclusion, rapid and accurate laboratory diagnosis of HSV is now become a necessity, given the difficulty in making the clinical diagnosis of HSV, the growing worldwide prevalence of genital herpes and the availability of effective antiviral therapy.

Concomitant Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Patients With Diagnosed Hiv/Aids: A Retrospective Study

“…Most of HIV patients with HSV have manifestations of genital ulcers. Thus, the examination should be supported with genital ulcer history, physical examination and appropriate laboratory evaluation, because some STIs also has genital ulcer manifestations (Chun et al, 2013;Goff et al, 2014). Syphilis was the second most STIs in HIV patients also manifest as genital ulcers.…”

Sero-prevalence of Herpes Simplex and Epstein Barr Viruses in HIV positive patients in Tehran

“…These agents play critical role on their morbidity and mortality. With regard to common route of HIV transmission with HSV and their health problems or EBV-associated malignancies both proper management of OIs and antiretroviral therapy (ART) are important in preventing of these life-threatening viral illnesses among HIV-infected persons (7,20,21).…”

“…HSV-1 infection is usually transmitted during childhood and often via nonsexual contact. HSV-2 is most transmitted through sexual contact (7). In the last decades molecular and epidemiological studies show a strong relation between HSV-2 and HIV infection (8,9).…”

Genital Herpes

“…For a thorough infection management, the clinical diagnosis must be supported with laboratory conirmation. Supporting the diagnosis is also important for detection of possible cases, further consulting services, and prevention of serious complications such as neonatal herpes [32][33][34].…”

“…Samples must be sent to the laboratory in saline or virus transport medium [30]. Virus detection methods are mainly divided into four groups: cell culture, molecular methods (nucleic acid ampliication tests (NAATs)), direct viral antigen detection, and cytological examinations [34]. The most commonly preferred methods are cell culture and PCR, which is a NAAT method.…”