Human Herpes Virus (HHV) Analysis

Various herpes viruses are endemic throughout the world and have been implicated in serious human diseases. There are eight known human herpes viruses, including the simplex viruses, HSV 1 and HSV 2, the Varicellovirus (HHV 3), Epstein Barr virus (HHV 4), cytomegalovirus (HHV 5), HHV 6, HHV 7 (Roseolovirus), and HHV 8 (Rhadinovirus).

Thus, there is an urgent need for effective ways to test for the presence of these viruses, to monitor the course of treatment and to avoid current drawbacks plaguing existing determinations. Current methods of detecting HHV's are both time-consuming and lack the necessary sensitivity to detect very low levels of virus which are often found in the serum of infected individuals.

Through a unique bioinformatics approach, CBI scientists have developed PCR primers and fluorogenic hybridization probes (patent pending) which allow specific assay for HHV 4, 5, 6, 6a, 6b, and 7 and 8. The HHV 6 assay will screen for both HHV 6a and 6b and the individual assays can be used to identify which strain variant is present in a test sample. Sensitivity of our TaqMan assay platform has been established down to as few as 10 copies of viral DNA, and in some instances, down to single copies of viral DNA.

In a high through-put format, using our TaqMan™ assay platform, CBI is able to assay serum samples rapidly and quantitate for viral DNA concentrations present in each sample.

With as little as 1 mL of serum or CSF, CBI can perform a panel of HHV assays (presently, HHV 4,5,6 and 7) and still have sufficient sample for re-assay for HHV 6a, 6b, or 8.

Please call 800-735-9224 or e-mail CBI for further information.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that the HHV panel assays are EXPERIMENTAL in nature and that the CBI assay platform has NOT been validated by the FDA or any other regulatory authority.

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