Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)

Test code: S0029 - Qualitative detection of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) by polymerase chain reaction

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is a member of the alpha herpesviruses, a group of viruses that has undergone extensive cospeciation with its primate hosts. Among the herpesviruses, HSV-1 has a broad range of cross-species infectivity and demonstrates considerable variation in disease expression in different hosts. Infection of human with HSV-1 is usually inapparent or causes mild, recurrent orofacial lesions. In nonhuman primates, fatalities were reported in the 1960s and 1970s following natural infection with a strain of HSV that was probably HSV-1 in splenectomized white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar), owl monkeys (Aotus trivirgatus), tree shrews (Tupaia glis), and lemurs (Lemur catta), and experimentally in tamarins (Saguinus oedipus). More recently, HSV-1 was shown to cause mild or asymptomatic infections in gorillas (Gorilla gorilla), orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus), chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), and gibbon apes (Hylobates spp.), although one case of fatal disseminated disease was reported in a white-handed gibbon.

Although virus isolation can be used to diagnose HSV-1 virus infection and determine carrier status, it is not very sensitive or specific, and viral culture increases the potential risk of laboratory staff contacting this virus. Serological testing for HSV-1 is difficult because of the close antigenic relation among different herpesviruses.

HSV-1 detection by PCR is the most rapid, sensitive and specific method for diagnosis of this infection and confirmation of carrier status.

Utilities:

• Confirm the disease causing agent
• Ensure that animal colonies are free of HSV-1
• Early prevention of spread of this virus among a colony
• Minimize personnel exposure to this virus
• Safety monitoring of biological products and vaccines that derive from primates

Specimen requirement: Lesion swab, or conjunctival swab, or 0.5 ml whole blood in EDTA (purple top) or ACD (yellow top) tube.

For specimen types other than those listed here, please call to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.

For all specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See shipping instructions for more information.

Turnaround time: 2 business days

Methodologies: Qualitative PCR

Normal range: Nondetected