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The IsoAmp® HSV Assay is an in vitro diagnostic test for the direct, qualitative detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 & HSV-2) DNA in male and female genital and oral lesions. The test is intended for use as an aid in diagnosis of HSV infection in symptomatic patients. Warning: The IsoAmp® HSV Assay is not FDA cleared for use with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The assay does not provide specific typing information to differentiate HSV-1 and HSV-2. The assay is not intended to be used for prenatal screening.

The IsoAmp® HSV Assay consists of three major steps: 1) specimen preparation: 2) isothermal Helicase-Dependent Amplification (HDA) of the HSV glycoprotein B (gB) gene using biotinylated primers; and 3) detection of the amplified DNA by a target-specific hybridization probe via a colorimetric reaction on a lateral-flow strip which is embedded in a self-contained disposable cassette to prevent amplicon contamination. Specimen preparation includes a simple dilution step in which specimens in viral transport medium are diluted 40-fold in dilution buffer. The diluted samples are mixed with HDA reagents. Incubation at 64°C results in the release of the HSV DNA and subsequent isothermal amplification of the target sequence. A competitive internal control (IC) is included in the Amplification Reagents to monitor inhibitory substances in negative samples, reagent failure or device failure. After incubation for one hour, the amplified DNA is detected by two detection probes, one labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) for hybridizing to the HSV target and the other labeled with digoxigenin (DIG) for binding to the IC target. The hybrid of FITC-labeled probe and HSV amplicon is captured at the Test Line (T-Line) on the lateral-flow strip by anti-FITC antibodies, while the DIG-labeled IC amplicon is captured at the Control Line (C-Line) on the strip by anti-DIG antibodies. The biotin label in each amplicon captures the streptavidinconjugated color particles for visualization and the test result is shown as colored lines that are visually read. The self-contained Type II BESt™ cassettes contain lateral-flow DNA detection strips coated with anti-FITC antibodies and anti-DIG antibodies that serve as T line and C line respectively in the assay. A positive result (detection of HSV DNA) is reported when the T line is visible through the detection window of the cassette. A negative result (no detection of HSV DNA) is reported when only the C line is displayed. The assay result is regarded as invalid when both the T line and C line are not present and the assay should be repeated.