Herpes Virus Group DNA

Diagnostic Use

Genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are a major global public health problem:

● An increase in genital HSV infections has been documented from seroprevalence studies.
● There is a wide diversity of the clinical spectrum of genital HSV disease.
● Like all herpes virus strains, HSV establishes a latent state followed by viral reactivation and recurrent local disease.
● Perinatal transmission of HSV can lead to significant fetal morbidity and mortality.
● A link has been established between HSV-related genital ulcer disease and sexual transmission of HIV.

Genital HSV infections are a major global public health problem. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) are common infections worldwide. However, genital HSV is frequently under-recognized because infection is often subclinical.

It is estimated that the majority of genital herpes infections are transmitted by persons unaware that they have the infection, or are asymptomatic when transmission occurs.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection causes two clinically distinct diseases. Primary infection with VZV results in varicella (chickenpox), which is characterized by vesicular lesions on an erythematous base in different stages of development; lesions are most concentrated on the face and trunk. Herpes zoster, also known as shingles, results from reactivation of latent VZV that gained access to sensory ganglia during varicella. Herpes zoster is characterized by a painful, unilateral vesicular eruption, which usually occurs in a single or two contiguous, dermatomes.

Department

Microbiology - Virology

Delphic Registration Code

HERP

Laboratory Handling

Registration

Register each sample on an individual request. This code is for swabs only, non-swabs are DHSV, CSF requests are CNSP

Laboratory

Testing is performed Monday to Friday as sample requests are presented. Expected turnaround time 24 hours on weekdays.

Test Adds

Add-ons can be made if an appropriate sample has already been received for other testing. Please call Virology to discuss.

Constituent Tests

Synonyms

HSV
Herpes
VZV
Shingles
Zoster
Varicella
Chicken pox

Turnaround Time

3 days

Test Code

2319