Rapid detection of herpes simplex virus in clinical samples by flow cytometry after amplification in tissue culture

Murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and -2, respectively) nuclear antigens were used to identify cells infected with HSV-1 or -2 by indirect immunofluorescence in conjunction with flow cytometry after virus amplification of MRC-5 cell monolayers. The results indicate that MAbs Q1, Q2, and H-640 detect HSV-1- and HSV-2-infected cells, MAb SD-1 detects HSV-2- but not HSV-1-infected cells, and MAb 58-S detects HSV-1- but not HSV-2-infected cells. MAb Q1, which detects HSV-1- as well as HSV-2-infected cells, was used to detect HSV-infected cells after inoculation and overnight (16- to 20-h) incubation of MRC-5 monolayers with clinical samples suspected of containing HSV. In comparing the efficiency of flow cytometry with cytopathic effect (CPE) in tissue culture for detecting HSV in clinical samples, HSV was detected by flow cytometry in 77% of the cases where HSV was detected by CPE in tissue culture. In many cases, flow cytometry detected HSV from 1 to 3 days before HSV was detected by CPE.