Minimum detection limit of an in-house nested-PCR assay for herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster virus

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical Vol. 46; no. 5; pp. 625 - 628
• Main Authors: Rodrigues, Diógenes, de-Paris, Fernanda, Paiva, Rodrigo Minuto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical - SBMT 01-09-2013; Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT)
• Subjects: DNA, Viral - analysis; Herpes Simplex - diagnosis; Herpes simplex virus; Herpes Zoster - diagnosis; Herpesvirus 3, Human - genetics; Humans; Limit of Detection; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sensitivity and Specificity; Simplexvirus - genetics; TROPICAL MEDICINE; Varicella zoster virus; Varicella zoster virus; Polymerase chain reaction; Herpes simplex virus
• ISSN: 0037-8682; 1678-9849; 1678-9849; 0037-8682
• DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-1520-2013

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) are responsible for a variety of human diseases, including central nervous system diseases. The use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques on cerebrospinal fluid samples has allowed the detection of viral DNA with high sensitivity and specificity.
Serial dilutions of quantified commercial controls of each virus were subjected to an in-house nested-PCR technique.
The minimum detection limits for HSV and VZV were 5 and 10 copies/µL, respectively.
The detection limit of nested-PCR for HSV and VZV in this study was similar to the limits found in previous studies.