Comparison of Nested PCR and Real Time PCR of Herpes Simplex Virus Infection in Encephalitis Cases

Abstract

Introduction: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations in the central nervous system (CNS). Presently, the development of effective antiviral therapy has resulted in an increased need for the rapid and sensitive diagnosis of HSV infections. Aims: To evaluate the usefulness of real-time PCR for diagnosing HSV encephalitis (HSE), we prospectively compared results of real-time PCR and nested PCR, using clinical samples. Methods and Material: viral nucleic acid was extracted from CSF samples by NucliSENS EasyMAG automated nucleic acid extractor (Biomeuriex, France) and the real time PCR and nested PCR were performed as per manufacturer’s instructions. Results: A total of 50 samples previously reported positive and 100 samples negative for HSV by real time PCR were on testing by nested PCR; only one real time PCR positive sample was found to be negative by nested PCR. Conclusions: The real time PCR was found to be better than nested PCR as it could give results earlier than nested PCR.

Keywords: Real time PCR, nested PCR, HSV, CSF

Cite this Article

Jitendra Kumar Tiwari, Bharti Malhotra, Nair Reshmi T et al. Comparison of Nested PCR and Real Time PCR of Herpes Simplex Virus Infection in Encephalitis Cases. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Microbiology and Virology. 2018; 8(3): 34–36p.