Rapid diagnosis of genital herpes simplex infection by an indirect ELISA method

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) detection was performed by a rapid ELISA antigen detection method in a small field trial, and the results were compared to the results of ordinary cell culture isolation. Swabs from 54 patients, suffering from clinically suspected genital HSV infection, were examined by both methods. In 49 samples the results were identical. Three samples were negative by ELISA, but HSV was isolated by culture, while two samples were positive by ELISA, but negative by culture. Compared to the culture results, the ELISA method had 87.5% sensitivity and 93.3% specificity. Most culture positive samples were identified within two (54%) or three (75%) days, and all within six days after inoculation. The ELISA method turned out as a good and easy method for rapid detection of genital HSV infections.