Korean J Dermatol.  1994 Feb;32(1):34-42.

Detection of Herpes Simplex Virus DNA in Oral Ulcers by Polymerase Chain Reaction

• Choi JH
• Kim SB
• Lee SC
• Suh DH
• Sung KJ
• Koh JK

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The oral ulcer is a common oral disorder, but the precise etiology remains elusive despite of intensive clinical, immunological, hematological and microbiological investigations.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine oral ulcers for the detection of HSV DNA by using PCR and to characterize clinical features of HSV DNA positive cases.
METHODS
Specimens collected with cotton swabs and saliva from 48 cases of oral ulcers were examined for HSV DNA by PCR and Southern blot hybridization.
RESULTS
1. HSV DNA was detected in 8 of 48(16.7%) cotton swabbed specimens of oral ulcers and saliva by PCR and Southern blot hybridization. 2. Clinical features of HSV DNA positive oral ulcers were a. predominently located in buccal mucosa. b. mall sized(<3mm), multiple(> or =5) lesions. 3. In Behcet's disease, 2 of 7(28.6%) cases of oral ulcers were positive for HSV DNA
CONCLUSION
PCR is an useful and accurate method for the detection of HSV DNA from cotton swabbed specimens of oral ulcers.

Keyword

Oral Ulcers; HSV; PCR

MeSH Terms

Blotting, Southern
DNA
Herpes Simplex*
Mouth Mucosa
Oral Ulcer*
Polymerase Chain Reaction*
Saliva
Simplexvirus*
DNA