Evaluation of a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of herpes simplex virus.

A total of 136 specimens were tested for the presence of herpes simplex virus by routine tissue culture and a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ortho Diagnostic Systems, Inc.). Forty-six (33.8%) of the specimens were positive by tissue culture. The sensitivity and specificity of the commercial system were 69.6 and 93.3%, respectively. The commercial system was rapid and moderately specific but lacked the sensitivity necessary for direct specimen testing.