Special Precautions/Comments:

N.B. Blood samples are recommended for neonates in cases of suspected neonatal HSV infection. For all other patients, please send a vesicle, skin, genital or eye swab in viral transport medium (VTM).

Interferences:  False negatives may occur if sample is outside of viraemic phase.

Method:  Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the simultaneous detection of HSV-1 and HSV-2 DNA.  Calibration: N/A.  EQA scheme: – IQC: –

Interpretation: Results will be reported as DETECTED (positive), INVALID, or Not detected (negative).  A negative result does NOT fully exclude infection. Samples may be invalid due to inhibitory substances within the sample. Clinical comment will be provided for positive samples from non-GUM patients as appropriate.

For further information contact Department of Microbiology, Newcastle Laboratories, Freeman Hospital.

Additional Information:

Background information:  Infections of Herpes Simplex Virus serotype 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) in humans can cause lesions at a range of sites including, oral-facial, genital, eye, skin and central nervous system. Lesions can result from primary infection or reactivation of latent infection. HSV1 predominantly causes oral-facial infections while HSV-2 is commonly associated with sexually transmitted infections. Cutaneous specimens include skin and penis, and mucocutaneous specimens include vaginal, eye, and oral sites. In rare occasions, herpes viruses are also associated with viral encephalitis and meningitis, as well as neonatal infections caused by perinatal transmission.