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HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS (HSV) ANTIBODY

Synonym(s):

​HSV IgM, HSV Total Ab

Lab Section Category

Description

​Herpes Simplex Virus IgM (HSV IgM) 

Herpes Simplex Virus Total Antibody (HSV total Ab)

Indications

Specimen Required

​3 – 5 mL plain blood.

(a) To diagnose acute infection, send acute sample for HSV IgM and a second serum taken 14 days later for HSV total Ab.

(b) For transplant patients, to determine baseline HSV titres, send single sample for HSV total Ab.

Storage and Transport

​Refrigerate samples if delay in transporting to laboratory is anticipated. Do not freeze.

Method

​HSV IgM : Enzyme immunoassay (EIA)

HSV total Ab : Complement Fixation Test (CFT)

Test Results

Acute (1st) Sample

​Convalescent (2nd) Sample

​Primary /

First Episode

​IgM : Positive

Total Ab titre < 1:16

Total Ab titre ≥ 4x rise compared to 1st sample 

​Reactivation

IgM : Usually Negative

Total Ab titre ≥ 1:8

​Previous Exposure

​IgM : Negative

Total Ab titre ≥ 1:8

​NA

Reference Interval / Value

Turnaround Time

​HSV IgM: Urgent cases : <1 – 4 days 

HSV total Ab : 1 – 6 days

Day(s) Test Set up

​HSV IgM : Tuesday and Friday

HSV total Ab : Tuesday and Thursday

Remarks

​Wherever possible, send samples for virus isolation for the diagnosis of herpes simplex virus infections.

Change History Notes

Others

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