Asymptomatic shedding of HSV is very important. After the initial infection of Herpes simplex virus, they hide in ganglia and are reactivate for a lifetime. However, some reactivation may be asymptomatic and cause more spreading of the virus specifically through sexual and maternal interactions.
We were the very first to describe shedding in asymptomatic patients, long before this became an established reality. We did so by collecting oral swabs and using ELISA established in our lab. We also used the ELISA on cervical swabs and ejaculates. I assume that commercially available ELISA kits would also work and of course, these days there is RT-PCR, but the question is what would be the best sample to test. Also, in sample selection, attention should be paid to the hormonal status. Use of oral hormonal contraceptive seemed to increase the frequency of HSV detection in the lower genital tract, and the risk of symptomatic HSV-2 reactivation episodes during pregnancy was increased in HSV-2 seropositive women denying a prior history of herpetic outbreaks. There was also a good correlation between the frequency of asymptomatic genital tract shedding and the escalating serum estrogen concentrations found in each successive trimester of pregnancy.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Microbiology
- Virology