Detection of herpes simplex and varicella zoster viruses in clinical specimens using direct immunofluorescence and cell culture assays
Meqdam, M.M.; Todd, D.; Al-Abosi, M.
Microbios 105(411): 111-118
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-2633 PMID: 11393748 Document Number: 536355
Patients (33 in toto) with a clinical diagnosis of herpes infections (simplex, zoster or chickenpox) were investigated for the presence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) in skin samples, using direct immunofluorescence and cell culture assays. Five patients with nonherpetic vesiculobullous disorders were included as negative controls. Of the 33 patients, 19 (57.6%) were positive for HSV or VZV and 14 (42.4%) were negative. Five controls were all negative for HSV or VZV. Of the 19 positive patients, HSV was isolated from 8 (42.1%) patients, by both direct immunofluorescence and cell culture assays. VZV was isolated from 11 (57.9%) patients, 11 (100%) by direct immunofluorescence assay, and 6 (54.5%) by cell culture assays. HSV was isolated from one patient clinically diagnosed as chickenpox (VZV), but otherwise the positive laboratory results were concordant with the clinical diagnosis. For epidemiological studies, atypical cases and immunocompromised patients the clinical diagnosis should be confirmed in the laboratory.