Table 1.
Preferred diagnostic test according to suspected etiology.
| Virus | Preferred diagnostic test |
|---|---|
| HSV-1/HSV-2 | CSF PCR Consider repeating within 2-7 days of disease onset if negative with high clinical suspiciona |
| VZV | CSF specific IgG |
| Enterovirus | Stool and throat PCR are preferred over CSF PCR |
| EBV | Serum EBV capsid antigen IgG and IgM (VCA) and EBV nuclear antigen IgG (EBNA) |
| HHV-6 | CSF PCR paired with serum PCRb |
| Influenza | Culture, antigen test, PCR of respiratory secretions |
| Dengue/Zika/Chikungunya | CSF PCR or CSF-specific IgM |
| Measles | CS- specific IgG |
| CMV | CSF PCR or CSF-specific IgM |
CSF, cerebal spinal fluid; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; HSV, herpes virus; VZV, varicella zoster virus; EBV, Epstein-Barr virus; HHV-6, human herpes virus 6; CMV, cytomegalovirus.
a
If not tested for CSF PCR, consider testing CSF for HSV-IgG after 10–14 days of disease onset.
b
To exclude viral integration to the host DNA (causing false positive results).