HSV (herpesvirus)

 

The HSV 1/2 (Mucocutaneous lesions swab) Rapid test Device is a rapid visual immunoassay for the qualitative presumptive detection of HSV 1 and 2 antigen in cutaneous specimens. 

 

HSV is an envelop, DNA-containing virus morphologically similar to the other members of the genus Herpesviridae. Two antigenically distinct types are recognized, designated type 1 and type 2. HSV type 1 and 2 are frequently implicated in superficial infections of the oral cavity, the skin, the eye and the genitalia.After the primary infection been resolved, the virus may exist in a latent form in nervous tissue, from where it may re-emerge, under certain conditions, to cause a recurrence of the symptoms. There are also commercially available blood tests used for detecting Type Specific HSV antibodies, but these serological testing cannot detect primary infection so they can be used only to rule out recurrent infections. This novel antigen test can differentiate other genital ulcer diseases with genital herpes, such as syphilis and chancroid, to help the early diagnosis and therapy of HSV infection.