Accuracy of Herpes Simplex Virus Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing of the Blood for Central Nervous System Herpes Simplex Virus Infections in Infants.

Lyons, Todd W; Cruz, Andrea T; Freedman, Stephen B; Nigrovic, Lise E; Herpes Simplex Virus Study Group of the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Collaborative Research Committee (PEMCRC) · J Pediatr · 2018

cross_sectional · Level IV

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Abstract

There were 1038 infants with herpes simplex virus polymerase chain reaction testing performed of blood and cerebrospinal fluid specimens. There were 21 (2.0%) with a positive cerebrospinal fluid PCR, of whom 16 also had a positive blood PCR (sensitivity 76%; 95% CI, 53%-92%). Blood PCR cannot exclude herpes simplex virus central nervous system infection.

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