Modified spin-amplified adsorption procedure with conventional tissue culture tubes for rapid detection and increased recovery of herpes simplex virus from clinical specimens.

Conventional culture tubes were used in a modification of the spin-amplified adsorption procedure for recovery of herpes simplex virus (HSV) from clinical specimens. The sensitivity of isolation of HSV from 864 specimens adsorbed by the spin-amplified method was 100% (127 of 127), compared with 88.2% (112 of 127) for stationary-phase-adsorbed specimens. Cytopathic effect developed more rapidly in 32.1% (36 of 112) of isolates adsorbed by spin amplification than in those adsorbed by stationary means. In a separate quantitative study, cultures of HSV type 1 adsorbed by spin amplification yielded higher antigen levels and greater cytopathic effect than stationary-phase-adsorbed cultures. Cells grown in conventional tissue culture tubes may be used in a spin-amplified adsorption for rapid detection and increased sensitivity of HSV isolation.