Search

Background: The recent mpox outbreak has highlighted the need to rapidly diagnose the causative agents of viral vesicular disease to inform treatment and control measures. Common causes of vesicular disease include Monkeypox virus (MPXV), clades I and II, Herpes simplex viruses Type 1 and Type 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2), human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6), Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and Enteroviruses (EVs). Here, we assessed a syndromic viral vesicular panel for rapid and simultaneous detection of these 7 targets in a single cartridge., Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the QIAStat-Dx ® viral vesicular (VV) panel and compare with laboratory developed tests (LDTs). Limit of detection, inter-run variability, cross-reactivity and specificity were assessed. Positive and negative percent agreement, and correlation between assays was determined using 124 clinical samples from multiple anatomical sites., Results: The overall concordance between the QIAstat and LDTs was 96%. Positive percent agreement was 82% for HHV-6, 89% for HSV-1 and 100% for MPXV, HSV-2, EV and VZV. Negative percent agreement was 100% for all targets assessed. There was no cross-reactivity with Vaccinia, Orf, Molluscum contagiosum viruses, and a pooled respiratory panel., Conclusion: The QIAstat VV multi-target syndromic panel combine ease of use, rapid turnaround, good sensitivity and specificity for enhanced diagnosis, clinical care and public health responses., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors do not have any conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To evaluate outcomes of patients treated with intensive intravitreal therapy and to describe the evolution of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in patients treated for acute retinal necrosis (ARN) syndrome., Design: Retrospective observational case series., Methods: This study included 25 eyes of 24 patients with ARN who were treated and followed up in 2 departments of ophthalmology in Lyon, France. Assessed outcomes included qPCR viral load profile during treatment, number of antiviral intravitreal injections (IVT), retinal detachment rate, and best-corrected visual acuity., Results: Final visual acuity was 20/200 or less in 20% of cases; the rate of retinal detachment was 16%. Viral load kinetics changed in 3 phases: a first plateau period that was not consistent, a logarithmic decrease phase, and a negativation phase. Mean decay of the logarithm of the viral load was estimated at 0.076 per day; mean time of negativation was 56.1 days. Median IVT number was 9 (range, 0-28). Ten patients were treated with injections until the viral load was undetectable. Resistance to acyclovir was observed in a patient with a prolonged initial plateau of the viral load., Conclusions: Numerous and prolonged IVTs, used as adjunctive therapy, could improve the prognosis of treated patients by decreasing the risk of retinal detachment and improving visual acuity. QPCR enables monitoring of the response to treatment and can provide evidence for resistance to antiviral treatment by enabling the detection of cases with a prolonged initial plateau of viral load., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Molecular methods enable more rapid and sensitive detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) than viral culture., Objective: Three commercial molecular methods, all of which detect both HSV-1 and HSV-2, were compared to viral culture for the detection of HSV from swab specimens., Study Design: Pediatric and adult patient viral swab specimens were cultured for HSV. Residual swab fluid was frozen at -80 °C until tested with the 3 molecular methods: the Quidel Solana HSV 1 + 2/VZV Assay, the Focus Diagnostics Simplexa HSV 1 & 2 Direct Assay and the Luminex Aries HSV 1&2 Assay. A true positive was defined as positive by culture or positive by ≥ 2/3 molecular methods., Results: 177 specimens were studied. The sensitivity of culture was 81.3% (61/75, 95% CI 70.7-89.4%) and specificity was 100% (102/102, 95% CI 96.4-100%). The sensitivities of both the Solana and Simplexa were 100% (75/75, 95% CI 95.2-100%) and specificities were also both 100% (102/102, 95% CI 96.4-100%). The Aries had a sensitivity of 98.7% (74/75, 95% CI 92.8-99.97%) and specificity 99.0% (101/102, 95% CI 94.7-99.98%). All three molecular methods were significantly more sensitive than culture (p ≤ 0.0005 for Solana and Simplexa and p ≤ 0.0012 for Aries)., Conclusion: All the molecular methods studied provided a significantly higher sensitivity than culture. In addition, the molecular methods took 1-2 hours to perform compared to a mean of 2.1 days for culture results. Use of any of the three molecular methods could lead to improved patient care., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: HSV-1 infection is very common worldwide and can be associated with severe medical conditions such as encephalitis and neonatal herpes. Current diagnosis relies heavily on molecular assays targeting the viral genome. One of the pitfalls of these assays is genetic variability, as viral polymorphisms located in the target region can impair the detection of HSV-1., Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine if genetic diversity of HSV-1 could account for equivocal assay results we obtained during routine diagnosis of HSV-1 in a genital specimen with the HSV-1 HSV-2 VZV R-gene® assay., Study Design: The presence of HSV-1 in the genital swab studied was assessed using the HSV-1 HSV-2 VZV R-gene® qPCR assay and viral culture. Genetic variability of the patient's HSV-1 isolate was determined using molecular cloning, sequencing and comparison of the sequence of the isolate with those of previously published strains., Results: We identified an HSV-1 isolate carrying a novel single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located in the US7 gene from a genital swab. This SNP resulted in a missense substitution in the gI protein. It was responsible for the generation of an altered amplification curve when the genital specimen was checked for HSV-1 presence with the Argene HSV-1 HSV-2 VZV R-gene® assay, preventing unequivocal determination of the HSV-1 status of the sample analyzed., Conclusions: This study raises awareness of the risk of misdiagnosis of HSV-1 infections when "single-target" molecular assays are employed., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Herpes Simplex Virus encephalitis (HSVE) is a devastating disease of all ages. Rigorous studies correlating viral load with neuroradiological and clinical severity have not been performed, particularly in neonates. Understanding these relationships may improve therapies., Objectives: To correlate molecularly quantified HSV in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and disease severity., Study Design: HSV loads (VL) were evaluated by real-time PCR from the CSF of 33 patients (20 neonates, 5 children, 8 adults) with HSVE. We studied relationships between CSF VL and structural and volumetric brain abnormalities (MRI); hospital morbidity; and discharge and long-term (>3 month) clinical outcomes., Results: Initial CSF VL did not differ in neonates vs non-neonates (median 4.6 vs 5.1 log10 copies/mL, p = 0.75). Initial CSF VL was higher in neonates with HSV-2 vs HSV-1 (median 4.8 vs 3.2 log10 copies/mL, respectively, p = 0.02). Persistently detectable DNA in CSF despite acyclovir trended towards higher odds of unfavorable outcome at discharge for neonates [0.87 (CI 0.75-1), p = 0.07]. Initial VL correlated with higher CSF protein concentrations for the cohort and for neonates (p = 0.03 and 0.01, respectively), but not with lesion volume or subarachnoid exposure of involved brain (p all >0.05), hospital morbidity (p all >0.05), nor with higher odds of unfavorable discharge or long-term outcomes for the cohort [OR = 0.9(CI 0.5-1.6), p = 0.72; OR = 1.0(CI 0.5-1.8), p = 0.9] or for neonates [OR = 1.3(CI 0.5-3.3), p = 0.57; OR = 2.3(CI 0.7-8), p = 0.2]., Conclusions: Initial HSV VL did not predict neuroradiological or clinical outcomes in patients with HSVE, suggesting host inflammatory factors contribute to disease in treated patients with good viral clearance., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is a devastating disease, often leaving patients with severe disabilities. It has been shown that IgG anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies appear in approximately 25% of HSE patients and could be associated with impaired recovery of cognitive performance., Objectives: To characterize the prevalence of IgM and IgA anti-NMDAR antibodies in HSE patients, in relation to subsequent development of IgG anti-NMDAR and correlation to cognitive performance., Study Design: A total of 48 subjects were included from a previously described cohort of patients with HSE verified by HSV-1 PCR. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples drawn close to onset of disease, after 14-21 days of iv aciclovir treatment and after 90 days of follow-up, were analyzed for the presence of IgM and IgA anti-NMDAR, and related to IgG anti-NMDAR. Antibody levels were correlated to the recovery of cognitive performance, as estimated by the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS), for a total of 24 months., Results: In total, 27 of 48 (56%) study subjects were anti-NMDAR positive, defined as the presence of IgG (12/48, 25%), IgM (14/48, 29%) or IgA (13/48, 27%) antibodies in CSF and/or serum. IgM or IgA anti-NMDAR did not predict subsequent IgG autoimmunization and did not correlate to cognitive outcome. IgG anti-NMDAR serostatus, but not antibody titers, correlated to impaired recovery of cognitive performance., Conclusions: A majority of HSE patients develop IgG, IgM or IgA anti-NMDAR antibodies. However, the predictive value and clinical relevance of non-IgG isotypes remains to be shown in this setting., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1/2 can still be reactivated after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) even when the prophylactic acyclovir is used. However, the risk factors for HSV-1/2 viremia and the clinical outcomes following unmanipulated haploidentical HSCT remain unknown., Objectives and Study Design: Nineteen patients with HSV-1/2 viremia and fifty-seven patients without HSV-1/2 viremia which were selected using the case-pair method after undergoing haploidentical HSCT were enrolled. We analysed the risk factors for HSV-1/2 viremia and compared the clinical outcomes between the two groups., Results: The risk factors for HSV-1/2 viremia included HLA disparity ≥2 loci (p=0.049) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation (p=0.028). The incidences of platelet engraftment, oral mucositis and severe haemorrhagic cystitis (HC) in patients with and without HSV-1/2 viremia were 77% and 94% (p=0.003), 78% and 13% (p=0.000), and 25% and 6% (p=0.04), respectively. Moreover, the median time to platelet engraftment in patients with and without HSV-1/2 viremia was +25days (range, +11-+80) and +17days (range, +8-+67) (p=0.004), respectively. According to the multivariate analyses, HSV-1/2 viremia was associated with delayed platelet engraftment (p=0.038), a higher incidence of oral mucositis (p=0.000) and severe HC (p=0.038). However, HSV-1/2 viremia was not associated with non-relapse mortality (34.0% vs. 31.5%, p=0.26), leukaemia-free survival (60.9% vs. 57.9%, p=0.46) and overall survival (61.2% vs. 60.7%, p=0.37)., Conclusions: Based on our study results, we recommend that HSV-1/2 PCR should be performed upon clinical suspicion of HSV-1/2 infection., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Recently, automated platforms have been developed that can perform processing, extraction and testing for herpes simplex virus (HSV) nucleic acid on a single instrument., Objectives: In this study, we compared three commercially-available systems; Aptima ® /Panther (Hologic, San Diego, CA), ARIES ® (Luminex Corporation, Austin, TX), and cobas ® 4800 (Roche Molecular Systems Inc, Pleasanton, CA) for the qualitative detection of HSV-1/2 in clinical samples., Study Design: Two-hundred seventy-seven specimens (genital [n=193], dermal [n=84]) were submitted for routine HSV-1/2 real-time PCR by a laboratory developed test. Following routine testing, samples were also tested by the Aptima, ARIES, and cobas HSV-1/2 assays per the manufacturer's recommendations. Results were compared to a "consensus standard" defined as the result obtained from ≥3 of the 4 assays., Results: Following testing of 277 specimens, the cobas and ARIES assays demonstrated a sensitivity of 100% for HSV-1 (61/61) and HSV-2 (55/55). The Aptima assays showed a sensitivity of 91.8% (56/61) for HSV-1 and 90.9% (50/55) for HSV-2. Percent specificities for HSV-1 were 96.2% (202/210) by cobas, 99.5% (209/210) by ARIES and 100% (236/236) by Aptima. For HSV-2, the specificities were 98.1% (211/215) by cobas, 99.5% (215/216) by ARIES and 100% (216/216) by Aptima. The turnaround time for testing 24 samples was 2.5h by the cobas 4800, 3.1h by Aptima/Panther, and 3.9h by ARIES., Conclusions: The three commercial systems can perform all current functions on a single platform, thereby improving workflow and potentially reducing errors associated with manual processing of samples., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: The Lyra™ Direct HSV 1+2/VZV Assay is a moderately complex, multiplex PCR assay that qualitatively detects the presence of HSV 1, HSV 2, and VZV DNA in cutaneous and mucocutaneous specimens with a time-to-result of less than 60min., Objectives: To report a one-year laboratory experience using Lyra assay for testing cutaneous and mucocutaneous specimens for HSV and VZV that resulted in the unexpected detection of VZV in 14 male and female genital specimens., Study Design: Over a one-year period, 2113 cutaneous and mucocutaneous specimens from male and female patients were submitted for testing using the Lyra assay. An unexpected 14 genital specimens were positive for the presence VZV DNA. Eleven of the 14 specimens were available for confirmatory testing using two alternative molecular methods and Sanger sequencing., Results: Fourteen male and female genital specimens were positive for the presence of VZV DNA. All of the 11 specimens (9 female and 2 male) that were available for confirmatory testing by the alternative molecular method and Sanger sequencing were confirmed as containing VZV DNA., Conclusions: Using of the Lyra assay over a one-year time period, VZV DNA was detected in 126 specimens of which 14 (11.1%) were from male and female genital sites. This rare and unexpected finding suggests that the appearance of zoster lesions in the genital area may not be as uncommon as previously thought and that this finding would have considerable impact on patient counseling and public health considerations., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Herpes simplex Virus (HSV) hepatitis is a rare complication of HSV-1 primary infection, with a delayed diagnosis, affecting mainly immunocompromised patients. We describe a case of HSV-1 hepatitis after primary infection occurring in the postoperative days after a pancreas-kidney transplantation. The patient presented with an unusual evolution of a persistent severe hepatitis associated with a persistent viremia (Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction) despite an adequate intravenous (iv) antiviral treatment. Abdominal computed tomography scan showed a miliary hepatitis. The diagnosis of HSV-1 hepatitis was confirmed by immuno-chemistry on liver biopsy. The donor was negative for anti-HSV antibodies, excluding contamination by the graft. This case report emphasizes a rather seldom risk of care-associated viral infections, predominantly in immunocompromised patients., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

First HSV-1 genital episodes in HSV-2 infected patients however, had never been demonstrated until the 2 cases we observed. This scarcity could reflect the lower impact of HSV-2 on western populations but questions the existence of cross-protection between viral types., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The etiologies of Bell's palsy and brachial neuritis remain uncertain, and the conditions rarely co-occur or reoccur. Here we present a woman in her twenties who had several relapsing-remitting episodes with left-sided facial palsy and brachial neuropathy. The episodes always started with painful left-sided oral blisters. Repeat PCRs HSV-1 DNA from oral vesicular lesions were positive. Extensive screening did not reveal any other underlying cause. Findings on MRI T2-weighted brachial plexus STIR images, using a 3.0-Tesla scanner during an episode, were compatible with brachial plexus neuritis. Except a mannose-binding lectin deficiency, a congenital complement deficiency that is frequently found in the general Caucasian population, no other immunodeficiency was demonstrated in our patient. In vitro resistance to acyclovir was tested negative, but despite prophylactic treatment with the drug in high doses, relapses recurred. To our knowledge, this is the first ever reported documentation of relapsing-remitting facial and brachial plexus neuritis caused by HSV-1., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) and herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) encephalitis are two rare but serious infections affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Concurrent bacterial and viral CNS infection has occasionally been reported., Objectives: To illustrate the possibility of intrathecal infection with both Streptococcus pneumonia and HSV-1 by presenting a case and to examine whether herpesvirus reactivation is common in ABM., Study Design: We report a case diagnosed with HSV-1 reactivation in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during treatment for pneumococcal ABM. A retrospective analysis of CSF samples from 21 patients with ABM was performed, with analysis of DNA from HSV-1 and four other neurotropic herpesviruses., Results: All 21CSF samples were negative for HSV-1, HSV-2, varicella zoster-virus, Epstein-Barr virus and human herpesvirus 6 DNA by PCR., Conclusions: Although herpesvirus infection does not seem to be a common phenomenon in ABM we suggest that HSV-1 reactivation could be kept in mind if patients with ABM show symptoms or signs compatible with encephalitis., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) ocular infection causes significant visual burden worldwide. Despite the fact that dendritic or geographic corneal ulcers are typical findings in HSV epithelial keratitis, conjunctival ulcer as a sign of HSV infection has rarely been reported. Although easily overlooked, this important sign could be enhanced by fluorescein staining. We report two cases of conjunctival geographic ulcers proven to be HSV infection by viral isolation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). One patient had bilateral disease and blepharitis, and the other had unilateral involvement without skin lesions. With timely diagnosis and proper management, excellent visual outcome can be expected., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

We present a 17-year old girl with DOCK-8 deficiency, severe untreated oral HSV-1 infection and associated aggressive periodontitis. DOCK-8 deficiency is a primary immunodeficiency, caused by biallelicloss-of-function mutations in the DOCK8 gene, often leading to severe viral and fungal mucocutaneous infections. Nevertheless, to date DOCK8 has not been associated with severe periodontitis and inflammatory bone loss around teeth. Understanding whether DOCK8 deficiency or severe HSV-1 infection underlies susceptibility to periodontitis is central to this case and may provide insights into susceptibility factors for periodontitis in the general population. Our clinical and microbiological data suggest that severe HSV-1 infection is the driver of periodontal inflammation in this case., (Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Most herpes simplex virus (HSV) isolates from treatment-naïve patients are susceptible to antivirals. However, prolonged antiviral therapy can select for drug-resistant strains, especially in immunocompromised patients. Standard phenotypic methods for antiviral resistance testing are labor and time-intense and molecular resistance determinants are insufficiently understood for routine diagnostic use of genotypic resistance testing., Objective: To enable rapid, scalable antiviral susceptibility testing and minimize viral passage, we developed a 7-day, 96-well assay for simultaneous HSV 1/2 titration and phenotypic resistance testing for acyclovir and foscarnet., Study Design: The assay was optimized and validated by testing clinical isolates and laboratory strains (n=39) with known IC50 for acyclovir (23 resistant) and foscarnet (1 resistant) based on plaque reduction or dye-uptake assays. A chemiluminescent detection reagent is used for quantification of cytopathic effect instead of plaque counting or measuring dye-uptake. Drug concentrations inhibiting 50% of chemiluminescent signal reduction (IC50) were determined concurrently at each of three virus dilutions., Results: Results agree for 92.3% (acyclovir) and 100% (foscarnet) of isolates. For all three discordant samples, results of reference testing by plaque reduction agreed with the chemiluminescent assay. Reproducibility studies showed 100% qualitative agreement and 3-37% coefficient of variation based on IC50., Conclusions: Chemiluminescence detection as a surrogate for cellular viability with an automated plate reader provides improved throughput and workflow, as well as high accuracy and reproducibility for antiviral drug susceptibility testing., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objective: The relevance of the detection of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in the respiratory tract of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) is unclear. Therefore, it is uncertain whether treatment with an antiviral agent could be beneficial for these patients., Study Design: We retrospectively reviewed the records of ICU patients with a positive HSV-1 culture in the respiratory tract or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. We evaluated whether acyclovir treatment (n=106) could have a beneficial effect on mortality as compared with the standard treatment (n=106)., Results: Acyclovir treatment was positively linked to in-hospital and ICU-mortality reduction. This favourable influence remained present after correcting for possible confounders and using propensity-adjusted and propensity-matched cohorts: with an odds ratio in the treated group of 3.19 (95% CI 1.79-5.69, p=0.001) for ICU survival and of 3.55 (95% CI 2.16-5.85, p<0.001) for in-hospital survival. The subgroup with HSV-1 detected in the BAL-fluid is the sole contributor to this difference. In the BAL-fluid detected group, 48% (n=10) of non-treated patients died in the ICU, versus 21% (n=6) in the acyclovir-treated group (p=0.033), occurring despite an even longer duration of ventilation or ICU stay., Conclusions: These data highlight the hypothesis that it might be worthwhile to consider treatment of HSV-1 in ICU patients depending on the type of respiratory sample in which the virus is detected. These results warrant a prospective trial to prove causality., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is associated with a large spectrum of pathologies i.e. pulmonary diseases. Although it has often been isolated from the lower respiratory tract of immunocompetent or immunosuppressed patients undergoing prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV), its causative role in serious lung infections is still unclear. Here we report the case of a 44-year-old man presenting seizures that followed an acute respiratory illness that occurred during hospitalization. The detection of HSV-1 DNA in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), in spinal fluid, and in blood samples, supported the evidence of a disseminated viral infection that strengthens the hypothesis of herpetic pneumonia as a possible triggering cause of neurological complications and fatal outcome. This observation draws attention to the opportunity of introducing tests for the detection of HSV-1 into the diagnostic protocols for such patients. In fact, adequate diagnostic tools would favor early diagnosis and correct therapy to HSV-1 that could reduce the possibility of either encephalic complications or the rate of mortality in critical long-term patients affected by respiratory pathologies who need assisted ventilation., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a leading cause of corneal blindness. Acyclovir (ACV) constitutes the standard treatment of HSV infections including herpetic keratitis (HK). HSV resistance to ACV is mainly described in immunocompromised patients. We describe two cases of ACV-resistant corneal HSV-1 in immunocompetent individuals with recurrent HK., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Detecting high herpes simplex (HSV) viral load in lower respiratory tract samples is reported to be significantly associated with the severity of the illness in critical patients, particularly in patients on mechanical ventilation. It may therefore be of interest to quantify HSV in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Quantitative PCR for HSV is not commonly available in clinical routine. Real-time PCR tests are, however, used commonly and provide semi-quantitative information based on the cycle threshold (Ct)., Objectives: Our objectives were to determine the clinically significant threshold and to study the impact of viral load normalisation in relation to cell quantity in samples using real-time PCR., Study Design: During the period 2011-2012, 59 HSV1 positive BAL were included. HSV viral load was determined by a quantitative real-time PCR (R-gene, Argène BioMérieux, France) and compared to a semi-quantitative real-time PCR (SmartCycler®HerpesSimplex, Cepheid, USA). Viral load normalisation was determined using a real-time PCR targeting a cellular gene (Cc r-gene kit, Argène BioMérieux, France). The significant threshold was determined versus clinical features by statistical analysis (Epiinfo Software v3.5.1 CDC)., Results: A viral load of 10(4) copies/ml of BAL was significantly associated with admission to the intensive care unit (p<0.001), mechanical ventilation (p<0.01) and death (p<0.01), with no influence of viral load normalisation in relation to cell quantity in the sample. This viral load was equivalent to a Ct value of 31 in the semi-quantitative technique., Conclusions: As semi-quantitative techniques are currently used in many labs, determining this Ct value could be useful for interpreting the clinical advantages of detecting HSV in BAL., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: The significance of isolation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 from the lower respiratory tract in critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation is still unclear. In the current study, we used polymerase chain reaction techniques to quantify HSV-1 to further evaluate its role., Objectives: The hypothesis was that high loads reflect invasive pulmonary disease related to prolonged mechanical ventilation and increased mortality, as opposed to shedding from the upper respiratory tract, which leads to lower viral loads., Study Design: We prospectively studied 77 consecutive patients admitted to the intensive care unit and analyzed 136 tracheal aspirates or bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, taken when clinically indicated in the diagnostic workup of fever, radiologic pulmonary infiltrates, progressive respiratory insufficiency or combinations. Samples were cultured for bacteria and yeasts according to routine microbiological methods and HSV-1 loads were determined by real time quantitative PCR. Viral loads were expressed per number of cells recovered., Results: HSV-1 load was directly related to the simplified acute physiology score II (rs=0.47, P=0.04) when the first specimen taken proved positive for HSV-1. HSV-1 positivity concurred with Candida spp. colonization. Patients with and without a HSV-1 load did not differ with respect to pulmonary and systemic courses and vital outcomes., Conclusions: The data suggest that HSV-1 in the lower respiratory tract originates from shedding in the upper respiratory tract in about 30% of critically ill patients, following immune suppression and reactivation, without invasively infecting the lung. No attributable mortality was observed., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Several analyte specific reagents (ASRs) are available for the detection and differentiation of HSV-1, HSV-2, and VZV in clinical specimens. However, there is limited data on the test performance of these reagents used in multiplexed PCR assays., Objective: This study compared the performance of two multiplexed ASR sets for detection of HSV-1, HSV-2, and VZV in dermal specimens., Study Design: Two commercially available ASRs were combined to produce multiplexed PCR assays for simultaneous detection of HSV-1, HSV-2, and VZV. Seeded samples were used to determine the limit of detection (LOD) for each assay. Patient samples (n=156) were tested in duplicate and results for each method compared to the reference standard of culture. Both extracted and unextracted specimens were used in the study., Results: Both multiplexed PCR assays showed similar test performance, with minimal LOD differences observed. The LOD was 10(3) copies/mL for HSV-1 and HSV-2 using the Focus assay compared to 5×10(3) copies/mL and 2×10(4) copies/mL, respectively for the EraGen assay. Both assays showed equal performance for VZV with a LOD of 5×10(3) copies/mL. Analytical specificity testing showed no cross reactivity with other selected DNA viruses. Both assays showed similar performance when clinical samples were tested using both extracted and unextracted specimens., Conclusion: Commercially available ASRs can be successfully multiplexed for the PCR detection of HSV-1, HSV-2, and VZV using dermal specimens. Either direct testing or nucleic acid extracted specimens can be used with similar performance in these assays., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Acyclovir (ACV) is the antiviral drug of choice to treat patients with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) uveitis. The prevalence of intra-ocular ACV-resistant (ACV(R)) HSV-1 in herpetic uveitis is unknown and may have clinical consequences. In addition to its predictive value on ACV susceptibility, the polymorphic HSV-1 thymidine kinase (TK) gene facilitates differentiation between HSV-1 strains., Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the genetic composition and ACV susceptibility of the causative virus in intra-ocular fluid samples (IOF) of HSV-1 uveitis patients., Study Design: The intra-ocular HSV-1 pool from 11 HSV-1 uveitis patients was determined by sequencing IOF-derived viral TK genes. The ACV susceptibility profile of the cloned intra-ocular TK variants was defined by mass spectrometry. In addition, the ganciclovir (GCV) susceptibility of the ACV(R) HSV-1 TK variants was defined., Results: Intra-ocular fluid samples of HSV-1 uveitis patients contain HSV-1 quasispecies, principally consisting of one major and multiple genetically related minor patient-specific TK variants. Four of 10 patients analyzed had an intra-ocular ACV(R) HSV-1 of which 3 were cross-resistant to GCV. The ACV(R) profile of intra-ocular HSV-1 did not correlate with symptomatic ACV treatment., Conclusions: Affected eyes of HSV-1 uveitis patients are commonly infected with a patient-specific HSV-1 quasispecies, including one major and multiple genetically related minor variants. A relatively high prevalence of intra-ocular ACV(R) HSV-1, mainly ACV/GCV cross-resistant viruses, was detected in HSV-1 uveitis patients., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Before PCR testing of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), laboratory diagnosis of herpes encephalitis (HSE) was based on virus isolation from brain biopsy. Viral isolation from CSF has limited clinical value due to low virus recovery; the cause for which has not been demonstrated., Objective: To investigate the role of anti-HSV antibodies on recovery of HSV from CSF via cell culture., Study Design: HSV-positive CSF samples were evaluated for their ability to neutralize HSV in cell culture. The presence of HSV-specific IgG and IgM antibodies were analyzed using HSV-infected cells. To identify whether HSV-specific IgG is the cause of viral inhibition, IgG was removed using anti-human IgG magnetic beads. Viral inhibition from CSF originating from asymptomatic patients was examined as a comparison., Results: CSF from 13 patients with acute HSV CNS disease was analyzed. All displayed high levels of viral neutralization to both HSV-1 and HSV-2 regardless of the infecting subtype. Interestingly, all the CSF samples stained strongly for anti-IgG antibody but none for anti-IgM antibody. Removal of IgG from CSF eliminated the viral inhibitory activity. Neutralizing IgG antibody was also found to be common in CSF of most patients, even in the absence of HSV disease., Conclusions: Viral specific IgG is the major determinant of viral inhibition in CSF and prevents virus recovery in cell culture. In CSF from HSE un-infected patients, viral inhibitory IgG originates from circulating serum antibody and is commonly present in CSF. However, this inhibitory IgG is not protective for the development of HSV disease., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: The novel IsoAmp(®) HSV Assay employs isothermal helicase-dependent nucleic acid amplification and a user-friendly disposable test device to achieve rapid (<1.5h), on-demand qualitative detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2 in oral and genital lesions., Objectives: To compare performance of the IsoAmp(®) HSV Assay with the ELVIS(®) HSV ID/typing (shell-vial culture and DFA) test system for clinical specimens collected from oral and genital lesions in symptomatic patients., Study Design: A total of 994 specimens from male and female genital and oral lesions were obtained and evaluated at five study sites in the United States. Results from the IsoAmp(®) HSV Assay were compared to those from the ELVIS(®) system. Separate reproducibility studies were performed at 3 sites using a blinded and randomized study panel. Discrepant specimens were resolved by bidirectional sequencing analysis., Results: After discrepant analysis, overall agreement of IsoAmp(®) with ELVIS(®) was 98.8% with 37.0% overall prevalence (all study sites). Reproducibility rates were well within expectations., Conclusion: The IsoAmp(®) HSV Assay showed excellent performance for clinical use for detection of HSV in genital and oral specimens. In contrast to ELVIS(®), IsoAmp(®) HSV offers excellent sensitivity plus rapid on-demand testing and simpler specimen preparation., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: The alphaherpesviruses Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and human herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) can cause severe infections of the central nervous system (CNS)., Objectives: To analyze whether age and gender of immunocompetent individuals are associated with the incidence of herpesvirus CNS diseases., Study Design: A total of 241 patients with virologically confirmed HSV-1, HSV-2 or VZV-infection of the CNS (excluding neonatal infection and varicella), diagnosed at the Department of Virology, Medical University Vienna, from 2001 to 2009 were analyzed retrospectively. The relative incidence of disease was evaluated statistically with respect to gender and age., Results: The relative incidence of VZV CNS disease increased with age (p<0.0001), and nonlinear age dependences were observed for HSV-1 (p=0.005) and HSV-2 disease (p=0.002). These effects were influenced significantly by the patient's gender in VZV (p=0.0003) and HSV-1 disease (p=0.008). Overall, 50.7% of VZV infections in males, but only 23.5% of those in females, occurred before age 45, and 28.9% of HSV-1 infections in males and 8.8% of those in females occurred before age 30. Women represented 71.9% of HSV-2 CNS infections (p=0.02)., Conclusions: The patient's gender is clearly associated with the incidence of CNS disease caused by VZV, HSV-1 and HSV-2, and its influence varies over one's lifetime., (Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been reported in up to 50% of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Presence of HPV in HNSCC has been associated with more favorable prognosis., Objectives: This study was designed to disclose HPV genotype distribution in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) and their role in disease outcome. In addition, role of herpesviruses 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and -2) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) as co-factors was elucidated., Study Design: HPV-genotyping of 106 HNSCC was done with Multimetrix(®)-kit. Luminex-based-method was used to detect HSV-1 and -2 and CMV., Results: In males, 50% of HNSCC were HPV DNA positive and 25% of these were multiple HPV-types infections and in women, 72% and 31%, respectively. Low-risk (LR) HPV-types were found in 20.5% and co-infection with HSV-1 in 6.6%. Patients with HPV-positive and -negative HNSCC had similar survival. Patients not treated with chemoradiotherapy and co-infected with HSV-1 and HPV had a worse outcome. Similarly patients with LR-HPVs treated with radiotherapy had a poor prognosis., Discussion: Radiotherapy for HNSCC in patients with either the presence of LR-HPV-types or a co-infection with HPV and HSV-1 may result in poor outcome., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: The occurrence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) with acyclovir (ACV) resistance is a cause for concern due to the frequent use of ACV for treatment, suppressive therapy, and prophylaxis of HSV infection. Although HSV infection is prevalent among children, very little is known about the drug susceptibility of HSV circulating in this patient population., Objective: To determine the status of ACV resistant HSV-1 among children., Study Design: A reporter cell-based HSV infection assay (mVILA) was developed to conveniently evaluate the ACV susceptibility of HSV-1 clinical strains and used to analyze 68 HSV-1 primary isolates from oral lesions in children., Results: Compared with PRA, mVILA is easier to perform. Using mVILA, HSV-1 isolates C106, C153, and C174 were found completely resistant to ACV, with a greater than 100-fold increase in IC50s. Sequence analysis of thymidine kinase (TK) and DNA polymerase (DNA POL) genes identified 11 new mutations. Structural modeling of the TK and DNA POL proteins suggested structural changes that might alter their interactions with ACV and ACV triphosphate, respectively. The insertion of a single G in a seven-guanine homopolymeric repeat sequence generated a truncated TK protein in C106., Conclusion: This study provides preliminary data on the ACV susceptibility status of HSV-1 in children. The prevalence rate of ACV-resistant HSV-1 in children was higher than predicted. Moreover, multiple mechanisms leading to the resistance were identified. These results suggest that new anti-herpetics with different working mechanisms should be valuable., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: According to recent reports, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) induces bronchopneumonitis (BPn) in immunocompetent patients undergoing prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV), whose respiratory functions deteriorate with a poor outcome. HSV-1 BPn is associated with HSV symptomatic or symptomless reactivation in the oropharynx., Objectives: We sought to systematically and genetically characterize HSV-1 strains isolated from immunocompetent patients receiving prolonged MV and to characterize the genetic relationship of strains sequentially isolated from oropharyngeal samples (OPS) and broncho-alveolar liquids (BAL) to determine the natural course of HSV BPn., Study Design: In this molecular epidemiological study, microsatellite technology was used to determine genetic relationships between 211 HSV-1 strains isolated from OPS and/or BAL from 106 patients receiving MV., Results: Microsatellite haplotypes of HSV-1 strains sequentially isolated from the same individual were identical, and HSV-1 isolates from the lung were genetically indistinguishable from strains isolated from the oral cavity. Each patient was characterized by their own HSV-1 microsatellite haplotype, and no nosocomial transmission of strains between patients was observed., Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that, in patients who receive MV, the HSV-1 pulmonary infection results from the reactivation of genetically related HSV-1 in the oropharynx, which progressively infects the lower respiratory tract., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the incidence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) types-1 and -2, varicella-zoster virus (VZV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) and human herpes virus 7 (HHV-7) in childhood acute appendicitis., Study Design: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were applied to detect herpes virus DNA in 38 children [11 girls and 27 boys, mean age 9 years (STD+/-2.59), range 6-14 years], who underwent an appendectomy within a 2.5-year period. Appendix, omentum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were available from each case. Of the 38 children with acute appendicitis, 20 (52.6%) had advanced (phlegmonous) acute appendicitis and 18 (47.4%) had perforated appendicitis and local peritonitis. Forty-one blood specimens from age-matched healthy children (25 female and 16 male), with clinical manifestations unrelated to viral infections served as negative controls., Results: CMV was the most frequently detected virus (8/38, 21%), followed by HHV-6 (3/38, 7.9%). EBV and HSV-1 were detected, though not in all three different types of tissue specimens tested. None of the samples examined were HSV-2-, VZV- or HHV-7-positive. Of all the specimens, the omentum was the most commonly infected tissue (63.0%) while the appendix and peripheral blood specimens were found to be positive for viral infection in 60.5% and 50% of cases, respectively. The CMV IgG+ antibodies were positive in 54% of the control cases while 86% of the same group presented HHV-6 IgG+ antibodies., Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study documenting the presence of herpes virus DNA in children with acute appendicitis, suggesting that possible viral infection or reactivation is associated with childhood appendicitis.

Background: Recently three different herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) genotypes (A, B and C) were described on DNA sequence data of the glycoprotein E (gE), G (gG) and I (gI) genes., Objective: To type the circulating HSV-1 wild-type strains in Germany and to monitor potential changes in the molecular epidemiology over the past 10 years., Study Design: A total of 569 clinical HSV-1 isolates from a 10-year survey in Germany were genotyped by a PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of gG and gI. Recombination analysis of the gE gene sequences was performed to reveal intragenic recombinants., Results: Genotypes A and B strains represented 76% of all strains analyzed and showed a stable distribution within all age groups investigated, independently from the gender. Intergenic gG/gI and intragenic gE recombinants were demonstrated to be less prevalent. Interestingly, for one HIV infected patient a gG/gI genotype switch from A/A to C/A was observed within 3 years., Conclusion: The first molecular survey of clinical HSV-1 isolates from Germany demonstrated a stable distribution of two different genotypes and recombinants within age groups and over a period of 10 years. Moreover, homologous recombination seems to be an important feature in the evolution of the HSV-1 genome.

We describe an atypical primary HSV 1 genital infection with bilateral palmar involvement. Two routes of dissemination of HSV are discussed, self-inoculation and blood dissemination. This case highlights the role of HSV 1 in extragenital pustules in the context of sexually transmitted diseases.

Background: Recurrent genital HSV outbreaks are common among those suffering from the disease. Antiviral medications taken as suppressive therapy can reduce the frequency of these recurrences and reduce viral shedding occurring in between recurrences., Objectives: To investigate the efficacy and safety of oral famciclovir as episodic (125 mg twice daily for 5 days) and suppressive (250 mg twice daily) treatment of recurrent genital herpes (RGH)., Study Design: This was a randomized, multicenter, 6-month, open-label study. Efficacy variables were time to first recurrence of RGH symptoms, and change in total score of the Recurrent Genital Herpes Quality of Life (RGHQoL) questionnaire. Subject satisfaction questions were summarized., Results: 384 subjects were randomized. There was a highly statistically significant difference between treatments in time to first recurrence of symptoms in favor of suppressive treatment (p<0.0001). There was no significant difference between treatments in total score of the RGHQoL or in subject satisfaction with treatment., Conclusions: This study demonstrated that, compared to episodic treatment, suppressive treatment with oral famciclovir may extend the time to symptomatic outbreaks in patients with frequent recurrences of genital herpes.

To optimise molecular detection of herpesviruses an internally controlled multiplex Taqman-PCR for the detection of Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1), Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2) and Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) was developed. The selection of the dye combination working on the ABI 7700 cycler for this multiplex PCR revealed crosstalk phenomena between several combinations of reference dyes and reporter dyes. A final dye combination with CY5 as reference dye and FAM/JOE/TXR as reporter dyes was selected. The influence of the concentration of the internal positive control (IPC) concentration on the quantitative results of HSV1, HSV2 and VZV positive patient samples was analysed. The results indicate that high IPC concentrations are detrimental for the sensitivity of the multiplex assay and that the presence of the IPC molecule narrows the dynamic range of the duplex PCRs between any of the virus PCRs and the IPC-PCR. The optimised multiplex assay detecting HSV1, HSV2 and VZV using 10(3) IPC molecules showed a performance and sensitivity comparable to that of the individual assays.

Background: HSV-1 and HSV-2 cause CNS infections of dissimilar clinico-pathological characteristics with prognostic and therapeutic implications., Objectives: To validate a type-specific real-time PCR that uses MGB/LNA Taqman probes and to review the virologico-clinical data of 25 eligible patients with non-neonatal CNS infections., Results: This real-time PCR was evaluated against conventional PCR (26 CSF and 20 quality controls), and LightCycler assay (51 mucocutaneous, 8 CSF and 32 quality controls) and culture/immunofluorescence (75 mucocutaneous) to assess typing with independent methods. Taqman real-time PCR detected 240 HSV genomes per ml CSF, a level appropriate for the management of patients, and provided unambiguous typing for the 104 positive (62 HSV-1 and 42 HSV-2) out the 160 independent clinical samples tested. HSV type diagnosed by Taqman real-time PCR predicted final diagnosis (meningitis versus encephalitis/meningoencephalitis, p<0.001) in 24/25 patients at time of presentation, in contrast to clinical evaluation., Conclusions: Our real-time PCR, as a sensitive and specific means for type-specific HSV diagnosis, provided rapid prognostic information for patient management.

We report a 28-year-old immunocompetent man that after a course of corticoids developed a severe pneumonia in right lower lobe. A fiber-optic bronchoscopy showed a white membrane easily bloody on contact with bronchoscopy tube at trachea level. The tracheal biopsy showed typical cytopathological lesions of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and polymerase chain reaction was positive for type 1 HSV. Streptococcus viridans and Fusobacterium necrophorum grew in right bronchial secretion cultures. Clinical improvement was achieved after prolonged antibiotic therapy and before initiating treatment with acyclovir. Herpetic tracheitis could have been involved in the aspiration of oropharyngeal material that leaded to the development of this bacterial pneumonia.

Background: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is assumed to cause recrudescent lesions, usually through endogenous recurrence and rarely through exogenous re-infection. The occurrence of exogenous re-infection in genital and corneal HSV infections has been previously demonstrated using genomic analysis, while exogenous re-infection in oral-facial HSV infections has not been shown., Objectives: To confirm the occurrence of exogenous HSV re-infection in oral-facial HSV infections., Study Design: Seven isolates (isolates 1-7) of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) were sequentially separated from the same individual. Genomic profiles of HSV-1 isolates were studied: (i) by analysis of 20 RFLPs (restriction fragment length polymorphisms) and (ii) by the determination of nucleotide sequences of a PCR-amplified DNA fragment encompassing reiteration VII (hypervariable region) that belongs to sequences containing short tandem repeats., Results: Isolates 1-5 were the same (F83 genotype) and isolates 6 and 7 were the same (F84 genotype), although isolates 1-5 were markedly different from isolates 6 and 7 in genomic profiles., Conclusions: The infection associated with isolates 6 and 7 was due to exogenous re-infection with F84 genotype virus, thus indicating the occurrence of exogenous HSV re-infection in oral-facial HSV infections.

Purpose: To compare the incidence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) epithelial recurrence and graft survival after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in patients with and without self-reported atopy., Design: Retrospective cohort comparative study., Setting: Cornea Service, Wills Eye Hospital., Study Population: Patients who presented with previously diagnosed ocular HSV between March 2003 and March 2004 and who underwent primary PK for ocular HSV at the Cornea Service. From the 58 patients invited, 49 patients (50 eyes) were included. Nine patients were ineligible in accordance with the exclusion criteria: no active classic HSV episode before PK, immunosuppression, less than one year of follow-up, previous history of PK before presentation at the Service. Eligible patients filled out a questionnaire regarding their history of atopic disease, considering: presence of allergic rhinitis, asthma, or atopic dermatitis. Ocular history was obtained through chart review. main outcome measures: Incidence of epithelial HSV recurrences and corneal graft survival in both groups., Results: Each group (atopic and nonatopic) included 25 eyes. The atopic patients had a mean incidence of 0.07 episode/eye year (SD +/- 0.9) compared with 0.12/eye year (standard deviation [SD] +/- 0.21) in the nonatopics (P = .002). At 10 years of follow-up, the survival rate in the atopics was of 92% and in the nonatopics was of 79% (P = .88)., Conclusions: Nonatopics had significantly more epithelial recurrences after PK compared to atopics; however, both groups presented low incidences of recurrences and high graft survival rates.

Objectives: To identify factors that contribute to variability of HSV antiviral susceptibility breakpoints., Methods: Acyclovir and penciclovir IC(50)'s for 12 HSV clinical isolates were measured in two laboratories using plaque reduction assay (PRA), an enzyme immunoassay (EIA)-based antigen reduction, and DNA hybridization on Vero, A549, MRC-5, HEL299 and HELG monolayers. Pair-wise comparisons were performed to evaluate variables including testing laboratory, technique, monolayer, and antiviral. The proportion of false results was analyzed using a conventional susceptibility IC(50) breakpoint of 2 microg/ml., Results: Acyclovir-resistant HSV isolates were correctly identified by all methods. In contrast, there were 6-67% of susceptible isolates incorrectly characterized as drug-resistant. Variables associated with these errors included testing site, assay method, cell line and antiviral. A549, DNA hybridization, and penciclovir were associated with the highest IC(50)'s, whereas the PRA, EIA, and human fibroblast-monolayers provided the best differentiation between susceptible and resistant HSV isolates., Conclusions: The current recommendations to use a single discriminating value to define HSV resistance to nucleoside analogues can be problematic. False results are influenced in various degrees by the laboratory method, tissue culture and antivirals.

Background: Few studies have performed sequential evaluation of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) load using quantitative PCR during episodes of herpes labialis., Objective: To determine HSV viral load kinetics during recurrences of herpes labialis., Study Design: Twenty-two subjects were monitored by daily swabs during recurrences of herpes labialis. A real-time PCR detecting both HSV-1 and HSV-2 was used to quantify the viral load., Results: Median duration of HSV-1 shedding was 60 h and 48 h by PCR and culture, respectively. No HSV-2 DNA was detected in that study. Peak viral DNA load (123.6 copies/cell) occurred at 48 h with no virus detected beyond 96 h of onset of symptoms., Conclusions: These viral load kinetics data could be used as surrogate markers of antiviral activity in future clinical trials.

Background: Acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex viruses (HSV) are commonly recovered from immunocompromised individuals who exhibit chronic and/or disseminated herpetic lesions., Objectives and Study Design: The virulence and response to topical acyclovir therapy were evaluated in a mouse model of zosteriform cutaneous HSV infection using two HSV-1 isolates from the same immunocompromised patient (one susceptible and one resistant to acyclovir)., Results: The acyclovir-resistant virus, with a Thr63Ile change in the ATP-binding site of the thymidine kinase gene, produced almost as many skin lesions as the wild-type susceptible virus. As expected from in vitro susceptibility data, the herpetic lesions of the mice infected with the drug-resistant virus did not respond to topical acyclovir therapy., Conclusions: Some thymidine kinase HSV mutants associated with drug resistance may retain their pathogenicity at least in the mouse model described in this study.

Purpose: To determine whether rose bengal and lissamine green affect polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV)., Design: Laboratory investigation., Methods: Diagnostic corneal scrapings were evaluated for PCR inhibitory activity. Dacron swabs inoculated with rose bengal and lissamine green were processed as clinical samples, inoculated with control HSV, varicella zoster (VZV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and toxoplasma DNA and prepared for PCR. The effects of calcium alginate and cotton swabs were also evaluated., Results: Rose bengal, lissamine green, and calcium alginate not only inhibit PCR detection of HSV DNA, but also detection of VZV, CMV, and toxoplasma DNA. This inhibition could be overcome by serial dilution and by DNA purification of the sample before PCR., Conclusions: Rose bengal, lissamine green, and calcium alginate can inhibit PCR detection of HSV DNA. Clinical scrapings to be sent for PCR diagnostic testing should be taken before instillation of rose bengal or lissamine green.

Background: Up to 80% of the US adult population has been exposed to herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1, primarily during childhood. Also, approximately 20% of the US population has contracted genital herpes from HSV-2 infections. Clinical symptoms can present as fever, headache, malaise, myalgia, and cold sores/lesions that cause pain, itching, dysuria, and vaginal or urethral discharge. A recurrence of infection is common. HSV culturing is characterized by low sensitivity with variable success rates due to shipping conditions., Objective: To design and validate a real-time PCR assay capable of simultaneously detecting each HSV subtype., Study Design: ATCC-purchased HSV-1 and HSV-2 positive samples and HSV-1 and HSV-2 infected clinical specimens were assayed simultaneously with shared amplification primers and subtype-specific probes against the HSV glycoprotein B gene on a Rotor-Gene 3000 platform. Separately, two PCR reactions were performed in which one primer contained a 5' biotin modification. Single-stranded DNA from the amplicon was purified and Pyrosequenced., Results: The quantitative range of the assay extended from 10(8) through 10(0) copies of each virus (r(2) > 0.991) and specificity was determined by non-amplification of 37 different human pathogens, including other herpesviruses such as VZV, CMV, and EBV. Sensitivity and specificity values of 100% were calculated by concordance analysis between the real-time PCR and the DNA Pyrosequencing results (HSV-1: n = 119, HSV-2: n = 120). Application of this assay to 4581 cervical swab specimens collected from women visiting physicians primarily in six states provided detection rates of 3.1% for HSV-1 and 7.6% for HSV-2. The average age of women infected with HSV-1 was 29.5 versus 35.6 for HSV-2., Conclusions: This procedure was demonstrated as both highly sensitive and specific for the detection of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in a single reaction. Also, the integration of Pyrosequencing analysis permitted an innovative and rapid verification for each subtype.

Background: Herpes virus infections are suspected to be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis., Objective and Method: Viral DNA of herpes simplex virus (HSV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) was analyzed by real-time PCR on 48 biopsies from atherosclerotic plaques extracted by end-arterectomy (46 coronary arteries, 2 carotid arteries), and in tissue from non-atherosclerosis vessels from the same patient as controls (23 internal mammary arteries, 43 saphenous veins)., Results: HSV-1 DNA was detected significantly more frequently in plaques (35%) than in control veins (9%, P = 0.006). However, the frequency of HSV-1 DNA detection in the internal mammary artery grafts was as high as in plaques (22%, P = 0.28). CMV and EBV DNA were exclusively found in plaques but not in controls, with 10% for CMV (P = 0.06 versus veins, P = 0.17 versus graft arteries) and 2% for EBV (P = 1.0), respectively. HSV-2 was neither detected in plaques nor in controls. Herpes viral DNA was significantly associated only with arterial hypertension but not with other classical risk factors (P = 0.02), in accordance with the hypothesis that herpes viral infection may alter the vessel wall., Conclusion: We conclude that herpes viral infections may have a role in atherosclerosis and that the presence of herpes viral DNA in the grafts used for bypass surgery might constitute a potential risk for atherosclerosis or restenosis.

Purpose: To describe the spectrum and recurrence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis in children and adolescents., Design: Retrospective cohort study., Methods: Twenty-three patients younger than age 16 years were diagnosed with HSV keratitis at one institution., Results: All children presented with dendritic or punctate epithelial keratitis, and stromal keratitis occurred concurrently with epithelial keratitis in 14 patients (61%). Six patients (26%) had bilateral HSV keratitis. Eleven patients (48%) developed recurrent HSV keratitis at a median of 15 months after the first documented episode. Amblyopia occurred in three children., Conclusion: Children with herpetic keratitis may have bilateral ocular involvement and are at risk for recurrent keratitis and amblyopia.