A comparison of the Quidel Solana HSV 1 + 2/VZV Assay, the Focus Diagnostics Simplexa HSV 1 & 2 Direct Assay and the Luminex Aries HSV 1&2 Assay for detection of herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 from swab specimens.

BACKGROUND

Molecular methods enable more rapid and sensitive detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) than viral culture.

OBJECTIVE

Three commercial molecular methods, all of which detect both HSV-1 and HSV-2, were compared to viral culture for the detection of HSV from swab specimens.

STUDY

DESIGN

Pediatric and adult patient viral swab specimens were cultured for HSV. Residual swab fluid was frozen at -80 °C until tested with the 3 molecular methods: the Quidel Solana HSV 1 + 2/VZV Assay, the Focus Diagnostics Simplexa HSV 1 & 2 Direct Assay and the Luminex Aries HSV 1&2 Assay. A true positive was defined as positive by culture or positive by ≥ 2/3 molecular methods.

RESULTS

177 specimens were studied. The sensitivity of culture was 81.3% (61/75, 95% CI 70.7-89.4%) and specificity was 100% (102/102, 95% CI 96.4-100%). The sensitivities of both the Solana and Simplexa were 100% (75/75, 95% CI 95.2-100%) and specificities were also both 100% (102/102, 95% CI 96.4-100%). The Aries had a sensitivity of 98.7% (74/75, 95% CI 92.8-99.97%) and specificity 99.0% (101/102, 95% CI 94.7-99.98%). All three molecular methods were significantly more sensitive than culture (p ≤ 0.0005 for Solana and Simplexa and p ≤ 0.0012 for Aries).

CONCLUSION

All the molecular methods studied provided a significantly higher sensitivity than culture. In addition, the molecular methods took 1-2 hours to perform compared to a mean of 2.1 days for culture results. Use of any of the three molecular methods could lead to improved patient care.