[Detection of a mutant HSV-1 in a patient presenting efflorescence on an eye lid]

A 9-month-old boy with impetigious blepharitis of the right eye was admitted to the Department of children and adolescents of the Kralovske Vinohrady University Hospital. NA isolated from lesion fluid was screened using real-time PCR based HSV 1/2 detection kit (Roche). Differentiation between HSV types 1 and 2 in this assay is based on variation of double-stranded DNA melting temperature (Tm), being 54 degrees C +/- 2,5 degrees C for HSV-1 and 66,5 degrees C +/- 2,5 degrees C for HSV-2. Since the amplified NA from the sample showed an atypical Tm of 59 degrees C, nested PCR was used for futher analysis: the presence of HSV-1 NA was confirmed by the latter. In spite of the atypical Tm value, the eyelid infection was responsive to acyclovir and resolved after intravenous Herpesin given for 5 days.