Analysis for herpes
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Herpetic infection. Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2. Antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 in serum
Herpes infection is caused by viruses, united in the family of herpesviruses. Currently, eight types of human herpes virus are known:
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 - causes labial herpes, skin and mucous membrane herpes, ophthalmoherpes, genital herpes, herpetic encephalitis;
- Herpes simplex virus-2 causes genital and neonatal herpes;
- herpes simplex virus type 3 - the virus of varicella and herpes zoster, causes varicella and herpes zoster;
- human herpesvirus type 4 - Epstein-Barr virus, causes infectious mononucleosis, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, etc .;
- human herpesvirus type 5 - cytomegalovirus (CMV), causes congenital CNS lesions, retinopathy, pneumonia;
- human herpesvirus type 6 is a lymphotropic virus, presumably an etiological agent of chronic fatigue syndrome;
- human herpesvirus type 7 is a lymphotropic virus, presumably an etiological agent of chronic fatigue syndrome;
- human herpesvirus type 8 - Kaposi's sarcoma-associated virus, causes Kaposi's sarcoma in HIV-seronegative people and Kaposi's sarcoma associated with HIV infection and AIDS.
Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are referred to as DNA viruses. They are characterized by the destruction of infected cells, a relatively short reproductive cycle and the ability to remain latent in the ganglia of the nervous system. When infected with herpes simplex virus, a person becomes a lifelong carrier for the virus, during transmission the infection can be transmitted to other people. The incubation period for herpes infection is from 1 to 26 days. Previously believed that the herpes simplex virus-1 causes predominantly nasolabile herpes, and the herpes simplex virus-2 - genital. It has now been established that both pathogens cause herpetic lesions of both localizations. Generalized herpes often causes herpes simplex virus-2.
To determine antibodies of class IgM and IgG to the herpes simplex virus-1 and 2, the ELISA method is used. The optimal examination includes the determination of antibodies of different classes separately to herpes simplex virus-1 and 2. IgM antibodies in the blood appear on the 2-3rd week of acute infection, the peak of titers is noted 4-6 weeks after the development of the clinical picture of the disease. Reinfection in individuals with pre-existing IgM antibodies does not cause a significant change in their titer, even with a pronounced clinical picture. The content of antibodies of this type is reduced in the blood for 2-3 months after the infection. Antibodies of IgG to herpes simplex virus are found in 80-90% of adults (more than 90% of individuals over the age of 40 have antibodies), so a single determination of IgG antibody titer in serum is not clinically significant. It is important to observe the dynamics of changes in the level of antibodies (increasing their titer or decrease). In case of acute infection or reactivation of the virus, an increase in the IgG antibody content is detected. IgG antibodies persist in the blood for more than 1 year. The increase in the number of IgM antibodies in the study of paired sera taken at an interval of 7-10 days, indicates primary and IgG - about recurrent herpetic infection. When using the ELISA method for infection diagnosis, it should be remembered that the average time for seroconversion (disappearance of antibodies) for the herpes simplex virus-1 is 3.5 weeks, and for the herpes simplex virus-2, 3 weeks. The sensitivity of the ELISA method for the study of antibodies to the herpes simplex virus is 91-96%, the specificity is 92-95%, while the antibodies to the herpes simplex virus-2 are 97-100% and 94-98% respectively.
Determination of the content of antibodies to the herpes simplex virus-1 and 2 is used to diagnose herpetic infection, including immunodeficiency states, HIV infection, and lymphoproliferative diseases.
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