Comparison of virus isolation and various polymerase chain reaction methods in the diagnosis of mucocutaneous herpesvirus infection

We compared two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays (simple and multiple x) and viral isolation to detect herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and varicel la-zoster virus (VZV) in 15 clinical specimens from 13 patients with mucocu taneous herpetic infections. HSV-1 or VZV DNA was detected in 13 specimens by simple PCRs (HSV-1 or VZV PCR) and in 12 specimens by multiplex PCR. On the other hand, viral isolation was positive for 9 specimens only. The PCR protocols used in this study are not only more sensitive and faster than th e traditional viral isolation and conventional PCR protocols but also can d istinguish rapidly HSV-1 from VZV. We propose the PCRs described here for r apid and precise identification of etiological agents of mucocutaneous herp etic infections.