Differentiation of HSV and VZV Lesions Using Multiplex Molecular Testing

Explore Virus Diagnostics and Testing

Herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1; HSV-2) and the varicella zoster virus (VZV) are some of the most common causes of primary and latent oral, genital, and cutaneous lesions. Over 66 percent of individuals under 50 have HSV-1, while HSV-2 is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Up to 95 percent of the current world population may also be infected with latent VZV, which can result in herpes zoster (shingles) later in life.

While primary antiviral treatment of HSV and VZV are often the same, the need for and duration of treatment and recurrence prevention differ, as does the rate of recurrence, transmissibility, and long-term complications. Therefore, it is imperative that lesions be diagnosed accurately.

This webinar will discuss the prevalence of herpes virus-related lesions and the importance of viral differentiation, evaluate diagnostic challenges, and provide information on using rapid near-patient multiplex molecular testing to improve lesion diagnosis.

Learning Objectives

This webinar will help you:

• Review the prevalence of herpes virus-related lesions
• Discuss the clinical importance of differentiating HSV-1, HSV-2, and VZV
• Explain the diagnostic challenges associated with herpes virus lesions and how a molecular multiplex assay can improve diagnostic accuracy
• Identify how rapid near-patient molecular testing can improve workflow and patient outcomes

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For research use only. Not for diagnostic procedures.

Fisher Healthcare is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.™ Program. One P.A.C.E.™ credit-hour will be provided for this complimentary basic level program.

Preeti Pancholi, PhD, Professor and Director of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

In this role, Dr. Pancholi is responsible for the daily management of a lab that offers diagnostic testing for infectious diseases. She is board certified and has over 20 years of experience in clinical microbiology. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in immunology at Rockefeller University in New York City and a clinical microbiology fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Prior to joining Ohio State, she was the Associate Director, Clinical Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. Her primary research interest includes the use of molecular and other rapid technologies to improve clinical infectious disease diagnostics and to evaluate the impact of these technologies on patient care.