DETECTION OF HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS (HSV) IN THE SALIVA FROM 1,000 ORALSURGERY OUTPATIENTS BY THE POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION (PCR) AND VIRUS ISOLATION

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) was detected by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 47 (4.7%) out of 1,000 saliva samples from the outpatients o f an oral and maxillofacial surgery department compared with 27 (2.7%) by conventional virus isolation. There were 20 PCR-positive, culture- negative cases but no culture-positive, PCR-negative cases. Patients y ounger than 10 years or older than 60 years secreted HSV more frequent ly than the others. Those with inflammatory diseases showed higher pos itivity for HSV than those with malignancy, trauma or other complaints . All 27 virus isolates were typed as HSV type 1 and none were resista nt to acyclovir, arabinofuranosyl-adenine, iododeoxyuridine or phospho noacetic acid.