[Detection of antigen and antibody in herpes simplex encephalitis].

Abstract

Laboratory confirmation of herpes simplex (HSV) infection in patients suspected of HSV encephalitis (HSV-E) at the earliest stage of the disease, may contribute greatly to the differential diagnosis and to the initiation of effective antiviral treatment. Our diagnosis of HSV infection was based on: a) detection of viral antigen in CSF cells in the first week of disease by immunofluorescence assay employing monoclonal antibodies against HSV-1 or HSV-2; b) detection of local IgM- and IgG-specific antibodies to HSV in the CSF and in the serum; c) ratio of titers of HSV antibodies in CSF and in serum less than 1:20; d) 4-fold rise in antibody titer to HSV in CSF and/or serum. The incidence of HSV-E was examined through 1987 in 270 patients suspected of viral infection of the central nervous system. In 187 (69.5%) material for laboratory diagnosis was inadequate and in 75 (27.8%) no evidence for infection by HSV was found. HSV infection was confirmed in 8 (2.9%), comprising 9.6% of those with adequate material for laboratory diagnosis. In no case was HSV isolated from the CSF. The importance of adequate material for viral diagnosis by the laboratory is emphasized.

• Authors: Z Smetana, S Leventon-Kriss, T Gotlieb-Stematsky
• Journal: Harefuah (Harefuah) Vol. 117 Issue 9 Pg. 233-5 (Nov 01 1989) ISSN: 0017-7768 [Print] Israel
• PMID: 2559006 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Viral
• Antigens, Viral

Topics

• Antibodies, Viral (analysis)
• Antigens, Viral (analysis)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Encephalitis (diagnosis, immunology)
• Fluorescent Antibody Technique
• Herpes Simplex (diagnosis, immunology)
• Humans
• Simplexvirus (immunology)