Whiley DM, Mackay IM, Syrmis MW, Witt MJ, Sloots TP. Detection and differentiation of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 by a duplex LightCycler PCR that incorporates an internal control PCR reaction.
J Clin Virol 2004;
30:32-8. [PMID:
15072751 DOI:
10.1016/j.jcv.2003.08.003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2003] [Revised: 08/12/2003] [Accepted: 08/15/2003] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
In recent years polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has proven to be a highly sensitive and specific method for the diagnosis of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections. The advent of real-time HSV PCR protocols now enables rapid result turnaround times with minimal hands-on time.
OBJECTIVES
In this study, we developed a real-time duplex PCR assay (HSVgD-dPCR) comprising of HSV and internal control PCR reactions.
STUDY DESIGN
Using the LightCycler, the HSVgD-dPCR targeted the HSV glycoprotein D gene and HSV typing was performed by melting curve analysis. The internal control PCR reaction targeted sequences of the DNA of the human endogenous retrovirus (ERV-3). In total, 300 swab specimens, from patients with suspected HSV infection, were tested by the HSVgD-dPCR assay. The results were then compared to the results obtained by another HSV LightCycler assay, which utilized published primer and probe sequences targeting the HSV DNA polymerase gene (Dpol-HSV-LCPCR).
RESULTS
Overall, 91 (30.3%) specimens were positive and 204 (68.0%) specimens were negative for HSV by both LightCycler assays. In addition, four (1.3%) specimens were positive by Dpol-HSV-LCPCR and negative by HSVgD-dPCR, whereas one (0.3%) specimen was positive by HSVgD-dPCR and negative by Dpol-HSV-LCPCR. The presence of HSV in these five specimens was confirmed by conventional PCR. Melting curve analysis by the HSVgD-dPCR assay enabled all HSV positive specimens to be typed, whereas sequence variation prevented three HSV positive specimens from being typed by the Dpol-HSV-LCPCR. Using the ERV-3 PCR, 5% specimens were found to contain inhibitory substances.
CONCLUSIONS
By developing the HSVgD-dPCR we have enhanced the diagnostic utility of real-time detection of HSV by incorporating an internal control reaction and by accurately typing a greater proportion of HSV positive specimens.
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