Correlation between detection of herpes simplex virus in oral secretions by PCR and susceptibility to experimental UV radiation-induced herpes labialis.

We examined the oral secretions of 25 patients for herpes simplex virus (HSV) at the time of and following experimental UV radiation (UVR). HSV was detected in one or more oral secretion specimens in 5 of 12 (42%) cases by cell culture and in 8 of 12 (67%) cases by PCR. On the day of UVR, HSV was detected in 1 of 12 (8%) patients who developed a lip lesion and 2 of 16 (13%) patients who did not (the difference is not significant). We conclude that PCR is more sensitive than culture in the detection of HSV and that HSV is not shed with increased frequency from the oral cavity before the development of UVR-induced herpes labialis.

A simple, fast and reliable method for obtaining dopamine histofluorescence from mesencephalic cultures.

A modified glyoxylic acid technique for obtaining dopamine histofluorescence from cultured mesencephalic cells is described. This method requires only two solutions: one contains glyoxylic acid, sucrose and monobasic potassium phosphate and is used at room temperature, the other is a Hepes buffered solution used at 37 C. Relatively high concentrations of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor and dopamine are added to the cultures to load dopaminergic neurons; the cell bodies and their processes take up and hold dopamine quickly and evenly. The cultures are dipped in a glyoxylic acid solution, dried in air, heated for 5 min and coverslipped with mineral oil. Since the cultures remain in their culture dishes, the entire procedure takes less than 2 hr. The green histofluorescence characteristic of dopamine is seen when the cultures are viewed by standard fluorescence microscopy. Various cell body types and sizes can be distinguished, as well as the complete extent of their processes and varicosities.