Diagnosis of herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 in clinical specimens by tissue culture and polymerase chain reaction

ABSTRACT

Background: Herpes simplex viruses [HSVs] are responsible for a variety of human diseases. Although lesions are usually self-limited, severe manifestations can occur, particularly in compromised hosts. Effectiveness of therapy for such infections relies upon rapid administration of appropriate antivirals which in turn creates the need to establish a prompt diagnosis and necessitates diagnostic testing that is rapid, sensitive and affordable especially for laboratories in developing countries. The specificity of tests is also crucial, since clinical manifestations of HSV are relatively nonspecific and overlap other potentially severe infections