[Molecular differential diagnosis of herpes virus using common primer pairs: detection of HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV and CMV by the PCR].

: Differential diagnosis of herpes virus species is often required in various clinical courses, such as transplantation and immunocompromised patients. Pairs of common primers which enabled sufficient amplifying and differential diagnosis of herpes virus species were designed and nested PCR using the common primer pairs was conducted to evaluate for its clinical application. The PCR was shown to provide amplification and differential diagnosis of HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV and CMV. The results of the PCR were consistent with those from fluorescent antibody of herpes virus culture and isolation. From clinical vesicular specimens, the PCR enabled the direct detection of HSV-1, HSV-2, and VZV. The PCR using the common primer pairs offers speed in the differential diagnosing of herpes virus.