HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS ANTIGEN

​Fluid and scraping from vesicles on skin or mucosa including conjunctivae and genitalia

Biopsy samples

Sputum, nasopharyngeal aspirate, bronchoalveolar lavage

If virus isolation is required as well, send all above in Virus Transport Medium. Otherwise, send all above in sterile bottles with 1 – 2 mL of sterile saline added.
(See also Virology Section, General Guidelines for Viral Antigen Detection)

​Refrigerate samples until transport to laboratory. Do not freeze.

Transport samples on ice pack to laboratory.

​Immunofluorescence assay

​Reported as Negative or Positive

The test(s) carries an international registration mark (non-HSA) and is used in accordance to laboratory accreditation guidelines.

​<1 – 2 days

​Monday – Saturday

​Positive results are reported as:
Positive for Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 or
Positive for Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2