Abstract
The development of a multiplex polymerase chain reaction method for the rapid and accurate detection and typing of HSV‐1, HSV‐2, and VZV from clinical specimens is described. A sensitive multiplex polymerase chain reaction was achieved by optimization of parameters such as the primers, magnesium, and dNTPs concentrations. False‐negative results that sometimes arise due to inhibitors of DNA amplification or failure of DNA extraction procedure used may be avoided by assaying each specimen with α‐tubulin primers. Multiplex PCR amplified viral sequences from all 55 specimens obtained from patients with clinical evidence of HSV or VZV infection indicated 100% sensitivity. From 55 patients who were investigated by multiplex PCR, HSV‐1 was detected in 28, HSV‐2 in 20, and VZV in 7 specimens. The reported results indicate that the present multiplex PCR assay has a potential application in clinical diagnosis when a rapid and accurate detection and typing of involved viruses HSV‐1, HSV‐2, or VZV is needed. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 14:214–219, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Keywords: polymerase chain reaction (PCR), multiplex, herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, varicella zoster virus
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