Performance and use of HSV type-specific serology test kits

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus type-specific serology tests based on glycoprotein gG-1 and/or gG-2 are important diagnostic tools to establish aetiology of genital symptoms and identify patients with unrecognized genital herpes. Clinicians can now select from three very different Food and Drug Administration-licensed kits. Diagnology's POCkittrade mark HSV-2 is a point of care test for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) antibodies. Clinicians can perform this test while the patient waits. Focus Technologies' HerpeSelect enzymelinked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2 are more traditional tests that can be semiautomated for high throughput at low cost in laboratories. Focus Technologies' HerpeSelect Immunoblot is a novel strip immunoblot that can be used for low volume testing in laboratories or even by healthcare facilities that are accredited for moderately complex testing. This review summarizes the performance data of these tests and describes how to interpret their results. Finally, situations that warrant follow-up testing are described along with suggested strategies for such testing.