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Herpes test
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
Herpes infection. Herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2. Antibodies to herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 in blood serum
Herpes infection is caused by viruses that belong to the herpesvirus family. Currently, eight types of human herpes virus are known:
- herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 - causes labial herpes, herpes of the skin and mucous membranes, ophthalmic herpes, genital herpes, herpes encephalitis;
- herpes simplex virus-2 - causes genital and neonatal herpes;
- Human herpes virus type 3 - varicella-zoster virus, causes chickenpox and shingles;
- human herpes virus type 4 - Epstein-Barr virus, causes infectious mononucleosis, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, etc.;
- human herpes virus type 5 - human cytomegalovirus (CMV), causes congenital CNS lesions, retinopathy, pneumonia;
- Human herpes virus type 6 is a lymphotropic virus, presumably the etiologic agent of chronic fatigue syndrome;
- Human herpes virus type 7 is a lymphotropic virus, presumably the etiologic agent of chronic fatigue syndrome;
- Human herpes virus type 8 - Kaposi's sarcoma-associated virus, causes Kaposi's sarcoma in HIV-seronegative individuals and Kaposi's sarcoma associated with HIV infection and AIDS.
Herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are classified as DNA viruses. They are characterized by the destruction of infected cells, a relatively short reproductive cycle, and the ability to remain latent in the ganglia of the nervous system. When infected with the herpes simplex virus, a person becomes a carrier of the virus for life; during periods of exacerbation of the infection, it can be transmitted to other people. The incubation period for herpes infection is from 1 to 26 days. Previously, it was believed that the herpes simplex virus-1 causes mainly nasal herpes, and the herpes simplex virus-2 causes genital herpes. It has now been established that both pathogens cause herpetic lesions in both localizations. Generalized herpes is more often caused by the herpes simplex virus-2.
To determine IgM and IgG antibodies to herpes simplex virus-1 and 2, the ELISA method is used. The optimal examination includes the determination of antibodies of different classes separately to herpes simplex virus-1 and 2. IgM antibodies in the blood appear on the 2nd-3rd week of acute infection, the peak titers are noted 4-6 weeks after the development of the clinical picture of the disease. Reinfection in individuals with pre-existing IgM antibodies does not cause a significant change in their titer, even with a pronounced clinical picture. The content of antibodies of this type in the blood decreases within 2-3 months after the infection. IgG antibodies to the herpes simplex virus are found in 80-90% of adults (more than 90% of people over 40 have antibodies), so a single determination of the IgG antibody titer in the blood serum has no clinical significance. It is important to monitor the dynamics of changes in the antibody level (an increase in their titer or a decrease). In acute infection or reactivation of the virus, an increase in the content of IgG antibodies is detected. IgG antibodies remain in the blood for more than 1 year. An increase in the amount of IgM antibodies in the study of paired sera taken at intervals of 7-10 days indicates a primary herpes infection, and IgG - a recurrent herpes infection. When using the ELISA method to diagnose an infection, it is necessary to remember that the average time of seroconversion (disappearance of antibodies) for the herpes simplex virus-1 is 3.5 weeks, and for the herpes simplex virus-2 - 3 weeks. The sensitivity of the ELISA method in the study of antibodies to the herpes simplex virus-1 is 91-96%, specificity - 92-95%, when studying antibodies to the herpes simplex virus-2 - 97-100% and 94-98%, respectively.
Determination of the content of antibodies to the herpes simplex virus-1 and 2 is used to diagnose herpes infection, including in immunodeficiency states, HIV infection, and lymphoproliferative diseases.
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