Table 2 Indirect methods for HSV diagnosis
Method | Tissue sampled | Sensitivity | Specificity | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Â | Â | Â | Â | Distinguish between HSV-1 and 2 | Â |
Western Blot2 | Serum | ~100% | ~100% | Detect early seroconversion to HSV-2 in patient with prior HSV-1 infection. | Not commercially available Expensive 2–3 days for results |
| Â | Â | Â | Â | Commercially available | Â |
EIA2 | Serum | 93–98% | 93–98% | Distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2 | Lack of sensitivity (compared to amplified tests)2 |
| Â | Serum | Â | Â | Less expensive than western blot2 | Commercially available only for HSV-22 |
Point of care tests2 | Capillary blood37 | 96% | 87–98% | Accurate results rapidly (6 min.)37 | Expensive36 |
| Â | Â | Â | Â | Easily performer37 | Not for large volume screening36 |
| Â | Â | Â | Â | Detects seroconversion within 4 weeks of presentation of 80% of patients with HSV-2 episodes37 | Complexity nonwaived (moderate)36 |