Diagnosis Of Herpetic Infection Research Articles

Unusual herpetic reactivation in a young female following botox injection: a case report study

BackgroundBotox injections are commonly used for cosmetic and therapeutic purposes because they temporarily paralyze muscles, reduce wrinkles, and alleviate certain medical conditions. Although generally considered safe and effective, Botox injections may cause potential complications. While herpes reactivation is more commonly associated with immunosuppressive therapies, such as chemotherapy or corticosteroid use, its association with Botox injection is poorly documented.Case PresentationA 33-year-old woman presented with progressive painful rashes and vesicles on her forehead, scalp, and right upper eyelid, accompanied by fever and malaise following a Botox injection to treat wrinkles. A positive Tzanck smear test result confirmed the diagnosis of herpes infection. The patient was treated with antiviral medication, and her symptoms gradually regressed over several days.ConclusionsAlthough herpes reactivation is more commonly associated with immunosuppressive therapies, few cases of herpes zoster and herpes simplex following Botox injection have been reported. The pathogenesis of herpes reactivation following Botox injection is unclear; however, it has been hypothesized that the Botox protein is a potent antigen that may activate the cellular immune system, making it easier for the virus to reactivate. Healthcare providers should be aware of this potential complication and consider it when evaluating patients who present with painful rashes following Botox injections. In addition, individuals who want to receive Botox injections should be informed of this complication. The diagnosis of herpetic infection should be made promptly, and antiviral therapy should be initiated to minimize the risk of complications. Further research is needed to better understand the pathogenesis and risk factors for herpes following Botox injection and to develop strategies for preventing and managing this complication.

Usefulness of Herpes Consensus PCR methodology to routine diagnostic testing for herpesviruses infections in clinical specimens

The purposes of the study were to assess the usefulness of simultaneously amplifying herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and human herpesvirus 6 DNA in various clinical specimens and to analyze clinical events in patients presenting positive results. A total of 763 clinical samples obtained from 758 patients, including 115 cerebrospinal fluids, 102 aqueous fluids, 445 swabs from genital (152), oro-facial (138) and other (155) skin lesions, 96 eye swabs and 5 bronchoalveolar lavages, were tested by using the Consensus polymerase chain reaction methodology. The clinical files of the patients were consulted retrospectively. 171 of the 758 patients (22.5%) were positive for at least one of the six target viruses: herpes simplex virus 1 (n = 95), varicella-zoster virus (n = 40), herpes simplex virus 2 (n = 21), herpes simplex virus 1 plus herpes simplex virus 2 (n = 8), cytomegalovirus (n = 4), Epstein-Barr virus (n = 1), human herpesvirus 6 (n = 1), and herpes simplex virus 1 plus human herpesvirus 6 (n = 1). The Consensus methodology enabled the rapid and accurate detection of herpesviruses in various clinical specimens and provided a reliable tool in the diagnosis of herpetic infections.

Multiplex polymerase chain reaction for the detection of herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus and cytomegalovirus in ocular specimens

Purpose. A majority of ocular viral diseases are caused by herpes group of viruses. Such infections, especially atypical herpetic keratitis, iridocyclitis and intra-ocular inflammations, can often present with overlapping clinical manifestations misleading the diagnosis. Molecular techniques are most useful in such instances for an accurate and rapid diagnosis since conventional methods are time consuming and less sensitive. A multiplex PCR was developed and used for the detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in ocular samples. Methods. One hundred and forty six ocular samples (corneal scrapings – 52, aqueous fluid – 36, vitreous fluid – 31, tissues – 26, skin vesicle scraping – 1) were included in the study. The sensitivity of the assay was determined using serial dilutions of standard strains of HSV, VZV, and CMV vis-à-vis plaque forming assay. Results. The sensitivity of the assay was 4, 4 and 12PFU/ml or 20, 20 and 60 genome copy numbers of HSV, VZV and CMV respectively. Using DNA from various sources (fungal, bacterial, human leukocytes, tissues) along with standard positive controls, the assay was found to be highly specific. HSV DNA was detected in majority of the clinical samples (33.6%), most frequent being corneal samples. Comparatively, VZV and CMV infections were detected in small number of samples (VZV-3, CMV-2). Conclusions. We found the assay very useful in our set-up whenever a differential diagnosis of herpetic infections was suggested by the ophthalmologist. The multiplex PCR we have described here can be of greater value in clinics with larger number of patients suspected of having HSV, VZV or CMV infections.

Rapid diagnosis of herpetic infections by immunoperoxidase method.

The PAP-(peroxidase-antiperoxidase)-immunohistochemical method was tested for rapid diagnosis on corneal specimens in clinically suspected herpetic disease. The method proved accurate, easy and useful in rapid diagnosis of corneal specimens from epithelial keratitis. Corneal buttons after keratoplasties for herpetic lesions were similarly tested for the presence of herpetic antigen. In a total of five corneal buttons, antigen was found in two corneas with necrotizing keratitis, whereas it was not noted in the three corneas opacified by disciform edema.

The Use of Temperature Sensitivity and Selective Cell Culture Systems for Differentiation of Herpes Simplex Virus Types 1 and 2 in a Clinical Laboratory

SummaryA simple technique for differentiation of herpes simplex virus type 1 from type 2, using growth variations in tissue culture and temperature sensitivity is described. All HSV-2 isolates were capable of producing distinct microplaques in chick embryo cells while the newly isolated HSV-1 strains failed to do so. Newly isolated HSV-1 strains showed similar or slightly lower titers in rabbit kidney when incubated at 35 or 40°. In contrast, the HSV-2 isolates generally showed distinctly lower titers or delayed CPE at 40°. Virus typings by selective growth in cell culture and temperature markers were confirmed by neutralization and/or immunofluorescence tests. Since both types of HSV can be isolated from any site of the body, the availability of a simple laboratory technique for distinguishing between the two provides physicians and diagnostic virology laboratories with a means for rapid and accurate diagnosis of herpetic infections.