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How Is An HSV Culture Test Done?
Question: Hi, my girlfriend recently had a swab for an HSV culture with reflex to typing done. The results read H Isolated with reference values "Not Isolated". But, when it came to the HSV typing the results were "Unable to type" with reference values "Not Isolated" for both type 1 and 2. Why would they not be able to type the virus if the culture was able to grow and be isolated?
Brief Answer:
Culture not typed due to medication.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
I politely request you to rewrite this query and send the reports of the test that you took for HSV, to us via the file upload option in our website. If you do this you will benefit immensely. Thanks in advance for the upload. Alternatively you can mail the scanned report to YYYY@YYYY with subject line as "Attn: Dr. Neel Kudchadkar".
From what I understand, your friend had HSV culture test with typing and they were able to culture HSV virus but not type it.
The standard procedure to "check" if you "have it" is like this: A swab is taken of a sore and a culture is attempted. If the virus fails to grow then it can be because you do not have herpes or that you are on antiviral medications. This is said to be a negative culture. It's good.
There are other methods such as a PCR test, antibody and antigen tests. The PCR test simply detects even a small fragment of HSV and "amplifies" it so that it is detected. The antigen test serves to find out if the body is defending itself. The antibody test is similar, based on your immune response. Typing of HSV is generally done on the basis of these test.
I will accurately answer your question now by saying that since you were on antiviral medication - valaciclovir, as you have mentioned, the virus, as you say was cultured but was not potent enough to "be isolated"(as you mentioned)
Awaiting your report...
Take care of your health.
Culture not typed due to medication.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
I politely request you to rewrite this query and send the reports of the test that you took for HSV, to us via the file upload option in our website. If you do this you will benefit immensely. Thanks in advance for the upload. Alternatively you can mail the scanned report to YYYY@YYYY with subject line as "Attn: Dr. Neel Kudchadkar".
From what I understand, your friend had HSV culture test with typing and they were able to culture HSV virus but not type it.
The standard procedure to "check" if you "have it" is like this: A swab is taken of a sore and a culture is attempted. If the virus fails to grow then it can be because you do not have herpes or that you are on antiviral medications. This is said to be a negative culture. It's good.
There are other methods such as a PCR test, antibody and antigen tests. The PCR test simply detects even a small fragment of HSV and "amplifies" it so that it is detected. The antigen test serves to find out if the body is defending itself. The antibody test is similar, based on your immune response. Typing of HSV is generally done on the basis of these test.
I will accurately answer your question now by saying that since you were on antiviral medication - valaciclovir, as you have mentioned, the virus, as you say was cultured but was not potent enough to "be isolated"(as you mentioned)
Awaiting your report...
Take care of your health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Hi,
Thanks for this answer, but the valaciclovir was prescribed after the culture was taken. Also the swab was taken within 10hrs of the lesions becoming visible. I don't feel comfortable uploading the file, but here is the most detailed write up:
Tests Results Reference values
HSV with reflex typing H Isolated Not Isolated
HSV Type 1 Unable to type Not Isolated
(unable to type) HSV since reculture of preserved sample failed to yield viable virus
HSV Type 2 Unable to type Not Isolated
(unable to type) HSV since reculture of preserved sample failed to yield viable virus
The doctor didn't know if the PCR test was done...the blood antibody test was done.
thanks for your response
It was my understanding that the typing is done after the culture is isolated (by tagging/immunofluorecsence. If they were able to isolate it, shouldn't typing be easy and reliable? This is all so strange because her lesions cleared within 3 days after they showed up. She also mentioned some peeling of her skin around the area with no pain at any point.
A follow up answer would be much appreciated!
Thanks for this answer, but the valaciclovir was prescribed after the culture was taken. Also the swab was taken within 10hrs of the lesions becoming visible. I don't feel comfortable uploading the file, but here is the most detailed write up:
Tests Results Reference values
HSV with reflex typing H Isolated Not Isolated
HSV Type 1 Unable to type Not Isolated
(unable to type) HSV since reculture of preserved sample failed to yield viable virus
HSV Type 2 Unable to type Not Isolated
(unable to type) HSV since reculture of preserved sample failed to yield viable virus
The doctor didn't know if the PCR test was done...the blood antibody test was done.
thanks for your response
It was my understanding that the typing is done after the culture is isolated (by tagging/immunofluorecsence. If they were able to isolate it, shouldn't typing be easy and reliable? This is all so strange because her lesions cleared within 3 days after they showed up. She also mentioned some peeling of her skin around the area with no pain at any point.
A follow up answer would be much appreciated!
Brief Answer:
Why the HSV typing could have failed.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
1. As regards your partner, every individual is unique and shows a unique response to Herpes Virus infections. The fact is that she actually exhibited
sores. And yet the lesions cleared within 3 days, right? This shows that, indeed
HSV infection had occurred and was culled by the medication.
2. The fact is that the virions were isolated. They might or might not have been able to be typed due to an artefact of the testing process. If say another test is conducted, the results will be anything but the results of the previous test in which typing could not be achieved.
3. Since you are sure that the test was an antibody test. The typing could not have been possible because of the fact that arguably 10 hours was a rather short span of time for your body to produce anti HSV titres.
And this is the most probable reason that the HSV virus could not be typed.
In any case, you know that HSV type 2 infects the genitals, therefore causing what is called as genital herpes. Secure in this knowledge, you can confidently
understand now, at least at a clinical level, why the typing was not conclusive.
Take care of your health.
Why the HSV typing could have failed.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
1. As regards your partner, every individual is unique and shows a unique response to Herpes Virus infections. The fact is that she actually exhibited
sores. And yet the lesions cleared within 3 days, right? This shows that, indeed
HSV infection had occurred and was culled by the medication.
2. The fact is that the virions were isolated. They might or might not have been able to be typed due to an artefact of the testing process. If say another test is conducted, the results will be anything but the results of the previous test in which typing could not be achieved.
3. Since you are sure that the test was an antibody test. The typing could not have been possible because of the fact that arguably 10 hours was a rather short span of time for your body to produce anti HSV titres.
And this is the most probable reason that the HSV virus could not be typed.
In any case, you know that HSV type 2 infects the genitals, therefore causing what is called as genital herpes. Secure in this knowledge, you can confidently
understand now, at least at a clinical level, why the typing was not conclusive.
Take care of your health.
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
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