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Genital Herpes and Millennium Technology

The medical community agrees that the first line of defense against the spread of herpes simplex virus (HSV) is prompt diagnosis. Technological advancements have provided new tactics enabling practitioners to expedite both diagnoses and differentiation of HSV 1 and HSV 2. These advances in diagnostics translate into real time benefits for patients who can receive anti-viral medications sooner.

A key tool in this new era is the LightCycler PCR, manufactured by Roche Diagnostics. PCR is the scientific shorthand for polymerase chain reaction. Practitioners are better able to identify viruses by measuring DNA band densities. Traditional laboratory diagnosis of HSV has used testing techniques such as enzyme immunoassay (4 hours) or isolation of the virus from a cell culture (4 days). The LightCycler PCR provides a real time solution (2 hours) to quickly diagnose HSV and type the virus as either HSV 1 or HSV 2.

A recent study pitted this cutting edge diagnostic tool against the more traditional methods. The performance of the LightCycler PCR, measured in terms of time and detection abilities, was compared with two other major diagnostic protocols. Areas of importance were the sensitivity of the various methods, the time involved, and the ability to distinguish between virus types 1 and 2.

Using the same standards for all three diagnostics tools, the LightCycler PCR scored a near perfect rating on the sensitivity scale: 99 percent. Similar scores were also achieved in time and the ability to subtype. The researchers found that the amplification and detection of HSV could be completed within an hour's time. The levels of specificity were similarly high, compared to the other methods. An important feature to the team was that the LightCycler PCR system is sealed, thus reducing the problem of contamination of samples.

The use of systems such as the LightCycler PCR will greatly enhance the ability of doctors to treat patients showing genital herpes symptoms. The usefulness of this diagnostic tool can be measured in reduced costs and shortened periods between a patient's first visit, the confirmation of diagnosis, and the introduction of anti-viral drug therapies. All of these features translate into increased control of symptoms and reduction of patient discomfort. While no cure for genital herpes has been found, the 21st Century continues to promise new ways to limit the impact of this condition through advances in technology and treatment.

Resources

Burrows, J., Nitsche, A., Bayly, B., Walker, E., Higgins, G., and Kok, T. (2002). Detection and subtyping of herpes simples virus in clinical samples by LightCycler PCR, enzyme immunoassay and cell culture. [online version]. BMC Microbiology, Vol. 2, 12. Retrieved August 19, 2002, from www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2180/2/12.
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