Medical expert of the article
New publications
Herpes: detection of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Recently, the detection of herpes simplex virus DNA 1 and 2 in the material from vesicles and ulcers of the skin or mucous membranes (including the conjunctiva of the eyes) has been used to diagnose herpetic infection by the PCR method (a very sensitive, specific and rapid diagnostic method). This method can be used to detect a virus in the cerebrospinal fluid. Negative PCR result does not allow to exclude herpetic infection, because due to the short reproductive cycle of the pathogen (in epithelial cells it is only 20 h), the material for the study can be taken too sooner or later. Positive PCR testifies only to the presence of the virus in the human body, but does not distinguish the carrier from the active infection.
[