Herpes simplex virus type 2: comparison of diagnostic modalities

ABSTRACT

61 cases diagnosed clinically as Herpes genitalis were investigated. 40 males and 21 females with ulcerative or vesicular eruptions on external genitalia were studied for detecting Herpes simplex virus type 2 [HSV-2] infection, either through antigen detection, virus isolation or serological methods. 29 cases [47.5%] were positive by virus isolation, 27 cases [44.2%] were positive by the direct antigen test while 6 cases [9.8%] were positive for IgM and 33 [54%] were positive for IgG. From the results obtained, it seems that the direct antigen detection is the most simple and highly specific laboratory technique for detecting recent and previous infections with HSV-2