Evaluation of a transcription mediated amplification assay for detection of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 mRNA in clinical specimens

Highlights • Herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) are double-stranded DNA viruses that package viral mRNAs. • A real time amplified molecular test was designed to detect packaged viral mRNA. • This test exhibited high clinical sensitivity and specificity in an STD clinic population.