Herpes Simplex Virus and Varicella-Zoster Virus
- Authors: Myron J. Levin1, Adriana Weinberg2, D. Scott Schmid3
- Editors: Randall T. Hayden4, Donna M. Wolk5, Karen C. Carroll6, Yi-Wei Tang7
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VIEW AFFILIATIONS HIDE AFFILIATIONSAffiliations: 1: Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045; 2: Departments of Pediatrics, Medicine and Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045; 3: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Herpesvirus Team, NCID/DVD/MMRHLB, Atlanta, GA 30333; 4: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN; 5: Geisinger Clinic, Danville, PA; 6: Johns Hopkins University Hospital, Baltimore, MD; 7: Memorial Sloane-Kettering Institute, New York, NY
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Received 25 June 2015 Accepted 06 November 2015 Published 24 June 2016
- Correspondence: Myron J. Levin, [email protected]

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Abstract:
The most common specimens from immunocompromised patients that are analyzed for detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) or varicella-zoster virus (VZV) are from skin lesions. Many types of assays are applicable to these samples, but some, such as virus isolation and direct fluorescent antibody testing, are useful only in the early phases of the lesions. In contrast, nucleic acid (NA) detection methods, which generally have superior sensitivity and specificity, can be applied to skin lesions at any stage of progression. NA methods are also the best choice, and sometimes the only choice, for detecting HSV or VZV in blood, cerebrospinal fluid, aqueous or vitreous humor, and from mucosal surfaces. NA methods provide the best performance when reliability and speed (within 24 hours) are considered together. They readily distinguish the type of HSV detected or the source of VZV detected (wild type or vaccine strain). Nucleic acid detection methods are constantly being improved with respect to speed and ease of performance. Broader applications are under study, such as the use of quantitative results of viral load for prognosis and to assess the efficacy of antiviral therapy.
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Citation: Levin M, Weinberg A, Schmid D. 2016. Herpes Simplex Virus and Varicella-Zoster Virus. Microbiol Spectrum 4(3):DMIH2-0017-2015. doi:10.1128/microbiolspec.DMIH2-0017-2015.




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Abstract:
The most common specimens from immunocompromised patients that are analyzed for detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) or varicella-zoster virus (VZV) are from skin lesions. Many types of assays are applicable to these samples, but some, such as virus isolation and direct fluorescent antibody testing, are useful only in the early phases of the lesions. In contrast, nucleic acid (NA) detection methods, which generally have superior sensitivity and specificity, can be applied to skin lesions at any stage of progression. NA methods are also the best choice, and sometimes the only choice, for detecting HSV or VZV in blood, cerebrospinal fluid, aqueous or vitreous humor, and from mucosal surfaces. NA methods provide the best performance when reliability and speed (within 24 hours) are considered together. They readily distinguish the type of HSV detected or the source of VZV detected (wild type or vaccine strain). Nucleic acid detection methods are constantly being improved with respect to speed and ease of performance. Broader applications are under study, such as the use of quantitative results of viral load for prognosis and to assess the efficacy of antiviral therapy.

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Figures

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FIGURE 1
(A) First-episode HSV in an HIV-infected patient. (B) Genital HSV in a renal transplant recipient. (C) Typical recurrent HSV. (D) Atypical chronic recurrent HSV in a bone marrow transplant recipient.

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FIGURE 1B
Genital HSV in a renal transplant recipient.

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FIGURE 1C
Typical recurrent HSV.

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FIGURE 1D
Atypical chronic recurrent HSV in a bone marrow transplant recipient.
Tables

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TABLE 1
Laboratory methods for the diagnosis of HSV infection

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TABLE 2
Laboratory methods for the diagnosis of VZV infection
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