Herpes simplex – Skin and genital

Preparation Prior to Transport

Label the specimen container with the patient’s full name, date of collection and one other unique identifier such as the patient’s date of birth or Health Card Number. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or testing delay.

Special Instructions

Specimens should be stored at 2-8°C following collection and shipped to PHOL on ice packs.

Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)

Herpes Simplex Virus culture is performed daily Monday to Friday.

Turnaround time is between 2 to 12 days (see test methods for more detail)

Reporting

Specimens from neonates that are positive for Herpes simplex virus are reported to the Medical Officer of Health as per Health Protection and Promotion Act.

Specimens requesting herpes virus are tested by a shell vial or plate virus culture technique using Diagnostic Hybrids “ELVIS” HSV test system. Positives are identified as Herpes simplex type 1 or 2, and are reported within 2 days.

Specimens not specifically requesting Herpes and those received on weekends and holidays may be set up by virus culture as an alternative.

Samples are observed in culture for a minimum of 10 days to allow for growth of the virus in culture. Samples that are positive can be observed at any point during this period, and can be reported up to 12 days.

Electron Microscopy can be performed on slides prepared from lesions; however this method has very low sensitivity and is not recommended. 

Note: The preferred method of HSV detection is by PCR (not currently available at PHOL) – please contact PHO Laboratory Customer Service for further information.

Labstracts

LAB-SD-021, Herpes simplex virus testing-culture