Encephalitis in immunocompetent patients due to herpes simplex virus type 1 or 2 as determined by type‐specific polymerase chain reaction and antibody assays of cerebrospinal fluid

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Why the study?

Does nested PCR assay of CSF accurately detect HSV 1 or HSV 2 in immunocompetent patients with herpes simplex encephalitis?

Population

93 consecutive cases of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) in immunocompetent post neonate patients

Design

Cohort

Authors

Discussion

Supports nested CSF PCR for early HSV encephalitis diagnosis in this cohort; leaves open prospective validation before wider adoption.

Does nested PCR assay of CSF accurately detect HSV 1 or HSV 2 in immunocompetent patients with herpes simplex encephalitis?

Population

93 consecutive cases of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) in immunocompetent post neonate patients

Intervention

Diagnostic testing using nested PCR assays for HSV 1 and HSV 2 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and ELISA for HSV 2 glycoprotein G antigen antibodies

Outcome

Detection of HSV 1 or HSV 2 DNA in cerebrospinal fluidsurrogate

Nested PCR of CSF is a rapid and sensitive tool for early diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis, detecting HSV 1 or 2 in 95% of cases.

Aurelius et al. (1993) studied this question.

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