Introduction
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) are responsible for a variety of human diseases, including central nervous system diseases. The use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques on cerebrospinal fluid samples has allowed the detection of viral DNA with high sensitivity and specificity.
Methods
Serial dilutions of quantified commercial controls of each virus were subjected to an in-house nested-PCR technique.
Results
The minimum detection limits for HSV and VZV were 5 and 10 copies/µL, respectively.
Conclusions
The detection limit of nested-PCR for HSV and VZV in this study was similar to the limits found in previous studies.
Herpes simplex virus; Varicella zoster virus; Polymerase chain reaction
