Broketa M M, Jeren T, Mlinarić-Galinović G
Zavod za mikrobiologiju i parasitologiju, Skola narodnog zdravlja A. Stampar, Medicinski fakultet Sveucilista u Zagrebu.
Lijec Vjesn. 2000 May-Jun;122(5-6):140-7.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is the most common cause of sporadic encephalitis in developed countries. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) causes oropharyngeal infections, keratoconjunctivitis and infections of the central nervous system, while herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in the immunocompetent most frequently causes genital infections. HSV-1 primary infection usually occurs in the early childhood but is also possible at adolescent age. HSV-2 primary infection is usually postponed till the adult age and coincides with the sexual activity. Common characteristics of these two viruses are a relatively rapid reproductive cycle, an efficient elimination of the infected cells, and the ability of causing a latent infection in the sensory ganglia. Since nowadays there is a specific therapy, the prognoses of severe HSV infections are much better. However, it is necessary that the antiviral therapy be applied shortly after the first symptoms of the disease have appeared. Therefore, the application of a rapid and safe method for detection of HSV from clinical materials is the first step in the treatment of severe and lethal infections like meningoencephalitis. In that light, the method called polymerase chain reaction (PCR) represents a new in vitro technique of DNA replication which enables exponential replication of a well defined DNA fragment. The advantages of this diagnostic method are its rapidity and sensitivity, and it does not require live cells for virus detection.
单纯疱疹病毒（HSV）是发达国家散发性脑炎最常见的病因。1型单纯疱疹病毒（HSV-1）引起口咽感染、角膜结膜炎和中枢神经系统感染，而在免疫功能正常者中，2型单纯疱疹病毒（HSV-2）最常引起生殖器感染。HSV-1原发性感染通常发生在幼儿期，但在青少年期也有可能发生。HSV-2原发性感染通常推迟到成年期，与性活动同时出现。这两种病毒的共同特征是繁殖周期相对较快、能有效清除被感染细胞以及能够在感觉神经节中引起潜伏感染。由于目前有特异性治疗方法，严重HSV感染的预后要好得多。然而，抗病毒治疗必须在疾病首次出现症状后不久应用。因此，应用一种快速、安全的方法从临床材料中检测HSV是治疗如脑膜脑炎等严重致死性感染的第一步。鉴于此，称为聚合酶链反应（PCR）的方法是一种新的体外DNA复制技术，它能使特定的DNA片段呈指数级复制。这种诊断方法的优点是快速、灵敏，且检测病毒不需要活细胞。
