TEST | EFFICACY |
---|---|
Histology or Tzanck test | Screens for herpesvirus in general, but is not useful in differentiating among different types of the virus |
Antibody testing | Useful in the diagnosis of primary, but not recurrent, herpes infections |
Tissue culture | The most specific test for diagnosis; however, it is not the most sensitive and often takes too long |
Immunofluorescence | Quick, sensitive, and economical; it can distinguish between HSV types 1 and 2 |
PCR | Quick, sensitive, and expensive; it can distinguish between HSV types 1 and 2, but is rarely necessary in routine practice |
HSV—herpes simplex virus, PCR—polymerase chain reaction.