Comparative detection of herpesviruses in tissue specimens by in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence

The conditions of in situ hybridization for demonstration of herpesvirus genomes in animal and human tissues were tested using the ORWO(R) K6 emulsion. It was possible to localize herpes simplex virus (HSV) genomes in infected mice organs (brain and liver) as well as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genomes in tonsils of patients with infectious mononucleosis and in tumour specimens of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinomas. Immunofluorescence (IF) revealed mostly corresponding results. The in situ hybridization is more favourable due to its higher specifity, but it is more time consuming and expensive. IF seems advantageous for screening of a great number of tissues.