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Herpes simplex virus detection from genital lesions: a comparative study using antigen detection (HerpChek) and culture.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.

ABSTRACT

The sensitivity of a rapid enzyme immunoassay test (HerpChek Direct Herpes Simplex Virus Antigen Test [DuPont Medical Products, Wilmington, Del.]) for the detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) antigens in patient specimens was compared with HSV culture. HerpChek positivity for HSV occurred with 179 (65%) of 275 lesion specimens, whereas culture for HSV was positive for 145 (53%) lesions (P = 0.002). HerpChek was twice as sensitive as culture for the detection of HSV in late-stage lesions and was equivalent to culture for the detection of HSV in early lesions. We conclude that HerpChek provides greater sensitivity than culture for HSV detection in late-stage genital lesions.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Geretti, A M (2006). Genital herpes. Sex. Transm. Infect. 82: iv31-iv34 [Full Text]