HSV-1 DNA in Tears and Saliva of Normal Adults

• DOI: 10.1167/iovs.04-0614
• Publication Date: 2004-12-28T23:32:50Z
• Authors: Herbert E. Kaufman; Ann M. Azcuy; Emily D. Varnell; Gregory D. Sloop; Hilary W. Thompson; James M. Hill
• Keywords: Viral Shedding

To assess the frequency of shedding herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) DNA in tears and saliva asymptomatic individuals.Fifty subjects without signs ocular herpetic disease participated. Serum samples from all were tested for HSV IgG antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) HSV-1 neutralization assay. copy number determined real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis tear collected twice daily 30 consecutive days.Thirty-seven (74%) 50 positive ELISA. The percentages eye mouth swabs approximately equivalent: 33.5% (941/2806) 37.5% (1020/2723), respectively. However, percentage with high genome numbers was greater than tears, which may have been a result sample volume collected. Shedding nearly same men (347/1003; 34.6%) women (594/1705; 34.8%); saliva, had higher (457/1009; 45.3% vs. 563/1703; 33.1%, versus women). Overall, 49 (98%) shed at least once during course 30-day study.The who intermittently or ELISA to HSV. Because most transmission occurs shedding, further knowledge prevalence is warranted control its spread. simple study, suppression be an efficient way evaluate new antivirals humans.