EVALUATION OF A GENETICALLY-ENGINEERED CELL-LINE AND A HISTOCHEMICAL BETA-GALACTOSIDASE ASSAY TO DETECT HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS IN CLINICAL SPECIMENS

A novel histochemical method was compared with a cytopathic effect (CP E) assay for the identification of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in clini cal specimens. The method utilizes a stably transformed cell line (BHK ICP6LacZ-5) that expresses beta-galactosidase only after infection wit h HSV. A total of 96 specimens submitted to our diagnostic virology la boratory were analyzed. Thirty-one specimens contained HSV as evidence d by positive CPE, and all were positive for beta-galactosidase staini ng. CPE were not evident for 2 or more days in 15 of the 31 positive s pecimens, whereas the histochemical stain was positive in all 31 posit ives by 16 to 24 h. This preliminary study shows that the BHKICP6LacZ- 5 cell line can be used in a rapid, sensitive, and specific assay for the detection of HSV in clinical specimens.