Synonym(s):
HSV IgM, HSV Total Ab
Herpes Simplex Virus IgM (HSV IgM) Herpes Simplex Virus Total Antibody (HSV total Ab)
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.
Refrigerate samples if delay in transporting to laboratory is anticipated. Do not freeze.
HSV IgM : Enzyme immunoassay (EIA)HSV total Ab : Complement Fixation Test (CFT)
Acute (1st) Sample
Primary /
First Episode
IgM : Positive
Total Ab titre < 1:16
Total Ab titre ≥ 4x rise compared to 1st sample
IgM : Usually Negative
Total Ab titre ≥ 1:8
IgM : Negative
NA
HSV IgM: Urgent cases : <1 – 4 days HSV total Ab : 1 – 6 days
HSV IgM : Tuesday and Friday
HSV total Ab : Tuesday and Thursday
Wherever possible, send samples for virus isolation for the diagnosis of herpes simplex virus infections.
{0}
{1}