Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and Varicella zoster virus (VZV) are DNA viruses belonging to the Herpesviridae family. Infections of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in humans can cause lesions at a range of sites including, oral-facial, genital, eye, skin and central nervous system. HSV-1 predominantly causes oral-facial infections while HSV-2 is commonly associated with sexually transmitted infections. Primary infection with VZV causes chickenpox, and reactivation in the nervous system later in life produces shingles. In rarer occasions, herpes viruses are also associated with viral encephalitis and meningitis, as well as neonatal infections caused by perinatal transmission.
The PlexPCR™ HSV-1&2, VZV kit was developed for the multiplexed detection of HSV-1, HSV-2 and VZV together with a DNA extraction/amplification control for use in real-time PCR (qPCR). PlexPCR utilizes PlexZyme™ technology for highly specific and sensitive multiplex detection in qPCR. PlexZymes are comprised of two DNA part-enzymes, which come together only in the presence of PCR amplicons, to form active enzymes that cleave universal reporter probes and produce signals that are monitored in real-time.
The PlexPCR HSV-1&2, VZV kit was evaluated with 184 retrospective clinical samples. Comparison to the HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV R-gene® kit (bioMerieux) showed very high sensitivity and specificity; HSV-1 detection was 100% and 99.3%, HSV-2 detection was 100% and 100%, and VZV detection was 96.7% and 100% respectively. Quality assurance samples were also assessed and showed good agreement to reference results.
The PlexPCR HSV-1&2, VZV kit offers a flexible and unique approach for herpes virus detection that is highly specific, highly sensitive, rapid and easily multiplexed. The assay is also being developed to incorporate syphilis detection.