Herpes viral culture of lesion

定义

Herpes viral culture of a lesion is a laboratory test to check if a skin sore is infected with the herpes virus.

选择的名字

Culture - herpes simplex virus; Herpes simplex virus culture; Herpes zoster virus culture

How the Test is Performed

The health care provider collects the sample from a 皮肤溃疡(病变). This is done usually by rubbing a small cotton swab 和 on the skin lesion. The sample is sent to a lab. There, it is placed in a special dish (culture). It is then watched to see if the herpes simplex virus (HSV), 带状疱疹病毒, or substances related to the virus grow. Special tests may also be done to determine whether it is HSV type 1 or 2.

How to Prepare for the Test

The sample must be collected during the acute phase of infection. This is the worst part of an outbreak. It is also when the skin lesions are at their worst.

How the Test will Feel

When the sample is collected, you may feel an uncomfortable scraping or sticky sensation. Sometimes a sample from the throat or eyes is needed. This involves rubbing a sterile swab against the eye or in the throat.

Why the Test is Performed

The test is done to confirm herpes infection. Herpes simplex virus causes 生殖器疱疹. 它还会导致 唇疱疹 of the mouth 和 lips. Herpes zoster causes 水痘 和 带状疱疹.

The diagnosis is often made by physical examination (the provider looking at the sores). The cultures 和 other tests are used to confirm the diagnosis.

This test is most likely accurate when a person is newly infected, 这是, during the first outbreak.

正常的结果

A normal (negative) result means that the herpes simplex virus did not grow in the laboratory dish 和 the skin sample used in the test did not contain any herpes virus.

Be aware that a normal (negative) culture does not always mean that you do not have a herpes infection or have not had one in the past.

What Abnormal Results Mean

An abnormal (positive) result may mean that you have an active infection with herpes simplex virus. Herpes infections include 生殖器疱疹, 唇疱疹 on the lips or in the mouth, or 带状疱疹. More blood tests will likely be needed to confirm the diagnosis or the exact cause.

If the culture is positive for herpes, you may have recently become infected. You may have become infected in the past 和 are currently having an outbreak.

风险

风险 include slight bleeding or discomfort in the area where the skin was swabbed.

参考文献

马克JG，米勒JJ. Dermatologic therapy 和 procedures. In: 马克JG，米勒JJ, eds. Lookingbill 和 Marks' Principles of Dermatology. 6日艾德. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 4.

Plourde AR, Beavis KG. Specimen collection 和 h和ling for diagnosis of infectious diseases. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis 和 Management by Laboratory Methods. 24日艾德. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 66.

惠特利RJ，格南JW. Herpes simplex virus infections. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26日艾德. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 350.