Detection and subtyping of Herpes simplex virus in clinical samples by LightCycler PCR, enzyme immunoassay and cell culture

Table 1 Comparison of LightCycler PCR (LC-PCR) with rapid antigen EIA and culture amplified detection of Herpes simplex virus in 262 specimens.

Number (Total = 262)	Light-Cycler	Rapid antigen EIA	Culture Amplified
34	+	+	+
4^α	+	+	contaminated
15	+	+	-
19^β	+	-	-
2^γ	+	-	contaminated
1	+	-	+
Subtotal = 75
1^δ	-	+	contaminated
1	-	+	+
185^φ	-	-	-
Subtotal = 187

Notes^α 4/4 culture contaminated. ^β 12/19 PCR-ELISA positive and 7/19 negative. ^γ 2/2 PCR-ELISA negative and culture contaminated. ^δ 1/1 PCR-ELISA negative and culture contaminated. ^φ14/185 culture contaminated.

ISSN: 1471-2180