Identification of herpes simplex viruses in samples taken from ambulatory patients’ genital mucosa collected at The I Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics Medical University in Warsaw

Objectives: Identification of human herpesviruses type 1 and 2 in samples taken from female genital tract. Investigation of the clinical utility of various laboratory methods for the detection of genital herpes in woman.

Material and methods: Overall 66 genital swabs were collected from 46 women. All samples were tested using cell culture for the virus presence and for the HHV-1 and HHV-2 DNA presence using PCR after amplifi-cation of virus in cell culture (Vero cell line).

Results: Cytopathic effects in cell cultures were observed in 21 samples, viral DNA was detected in 20 samples. In our study we established high conformity a viral culture and PCR method (k = 0.803).

Conclusions: In this study viruses were detected in asymptomatic woman, probably because of subclinical infections in the sites, which are difficult to observe during routine gynecological examination. In this study HHV-1 was the main causative agent of genital herpes. HHV-1 is predominant causative agent of herpes oral cavity infection. The oral mucous membranes are probable a source of infection. Method - in witch virus was amplificated and than DNA typing using PCR - is particularly useful because enable to detect a type of virus. Now, it is very important, because of changing in the
epidemiology of HHV-1 and HHV-2 infections.