Rapid detection of glycoprotein G gene for the diagnosis and typing of herpes simplex virus infection in genital herpes.

OBJECTIVE To develop a new, rapid, and convenient technique for the diagnosis and typing of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in genital herpes (GH). METHODS Using samples from skin vesicle fluid and urogenital mucosal swabs of subjects with GH, conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (directed to polymerase gene: PCRpG) were compared with a newly developed PCR (directed to HSV glycoprotein gene: PCRgG). Both PCR methods were compared with virus isolation culture (VI) with indirect immunofluorescent staining (IIF). RESULTS 80 samples from 40 GH patients (25 males) were tested. Positive results were seen in 52.5% (42/80) using PCRgG compared with 40% (32/80) by VI. Most of PCRgG positive samples (95.1%) were caused by HSV-2 infection. In samples from healing lesions, HSV was detected more often by PCRgG, than by VI. The results of typing by PCRgG and IIF were highly consistent. CONCLUSION PCRgG is more sensitive than VI and PCRgG in detecting HSV in urogenital samples from subjects with GH. PCRgG is a convenient technique for the rapid detection and typing of GH.