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Herpes viral culture of lesion

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Viral lesion culture

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Herpes viral culture of lesion

Definition:

Herpes viral culture of a lesion is a test to confirm the presence of herpes simplex virus in a skin sore.

Alternative Names:
Culture - herpes simplex virus; Herpes simplex virus culture

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How the test is performed:

A specimen from a skin lesion (often a genital sore) is collected during the acute phase (worst part) of an outbreak and placed in a special substance called medium.

The specimen may be placed in cell cultures, so they can replicate to help identification, or it may be identified by monoclonal antibodies that detect early antigens of herpes simplex virus.

Serotyping of the virus (to determine whether it's type 1 or 2) may also be done. Results are available within 16 hours to 7 days, depending on the culture method used.

How to prepare for the test:

The specimen must be collected during an acute infection.

How the test will feel:

The specimen is collected by scraping the suspected skin lesion or aspirating fluid from the lesion. This can cause a scraping or sticking sensation. Sometimes a specimen from the throat or eyes is obtained, usually by rubbing a sterile swab against the tissues.

Why the test is performed:

The test is performed to confirm herpes simplex infection. The diagnosis is often made by clinical examination rather than diagnostic testing.

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