Viral culture of lesion

How the Test is Performed:
A specimen from a skin lesion (often a genital lesion) is collected during the acute stage of symptmatic infection and placed in a special transport media. The specimen may be placed in cell cultures to replicate for identification, or it may be identified by monoclonal antibodies that detect early antigens of herpes simplex virus. Serotyping of the virus (type 1 or 2) may also be done. Results are available within 16 hours to 7 days of receipt of the specimen, depending on the culture method used.

How to Prepare:
The specimen must be collected during an acute infection.

Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experience, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:



How it Feels:
The specimen is collected by scraping the suspected skin lesion or aspirating fluid from the lesion. This can cause a scraping or sticking sensation. Sometimes a specimen from the throat or eyes is obtained (usually by rubbing a sterile swab against the tissues).

Risks:
The risks are slight bleeding or infection at the skin lesion site.

Why this Test is Performed:
The test is performed to confirm herpes simplex infection. The diagnosis is often made by clinical examination rather than diagnostic testing.

Normal Values:
No growth is normal.

Abnormal Results:
Abnormal results may indicate active infection with herpes simplex virus or asymptomatic viral shedding.

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:



Cost:
Information not available.

Special Considerations:
Not applicable.