Multiplex polymerase chain reaction for detection of herpes simplex virus type 1, type 2, cytomegalovirus, and varicella-zoster virus in ocular viral infections.

PURPOSE To detect simultaneously herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), type 2 (HSV-2), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in ocular specimens suspected of indicating viral infection, and to compare the results of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with those of uniplex PCR. METHODS Forty specimens, collected from 33 patients with clinically suspected herpes virus ocular infection, were tested. DNA was extracted from the specimens and amplified by multiplex and uniplex PCR. RESULTS Both multiplex PCR and uniplex PCR gave the same results. Nineteen (19/33, 57.6%) patients were PCR-positive, among whom HSV-1 was detected in 13 (13/19, 68.4%) patients, and VZV in 6 (6/19, 31.6%) patients. CONCLUSION These results demonstrated that multiplex PCR is as reliable as uniplex PCR, and is an accurate and a cost-saving method to identify several agents from a single specimen.