Patients with suspected herpes simplex encephalitis: rethinking an initial negative polymerase chain reaction result

Clin Infect Dis. 2002 Apr 15;34(8):1154-7. doi: 10.1086/339550. Epub 2002 Mar 21.

Abstract

A statewide encephalitis diagnostic project of the California State Department of Health Services found that herpes simplex virus 1 DNA may not be detectable by molecular methods early in the clinical course of herpes simplex encephalitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Disease Progression
  • Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / diagnosis*
  • Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / virology
  • False Negative Reactions
  • Female
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods