Abstract: The present invention provides methods, primers and probes for the detection of HSV nucleic acids in biological fluids and tissue. In the methods of the invention, at least a portion of HSV nucleic acid present in a biological sample suspected of containing an HSV-1 and/or HSV-2 is amplified and the amplified HSV nucleic acid is then detected. Detection may be accomplished by conventional separation techniques such as gel electrophoresis or by hybridization of at least a portion of a nucleotide probe comprising a nucleotide sequence complementary to the amplified HSV nucleic acid. Preferably, HSV DNA is detected in a biological sample using real-time PCR techniques that can detect the increasing presence of an amplification product while amplification occurs.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, primers and probes for the detection of enteroviral nucleic acids in biological fluids and tissue. In the methods of the invention, at least a portion of enteroviral nucleic acid present in a biological sample suspected of containing an enterovirus is amplified and the amplified enteroviral nucleic acid is then detected. Detection may be accomplished by conventional separation techniques such as gel electrophoresis or by hybridization of at least a portion of a nucleotide probe comprising a nucleotide sequence complementary to the amplified enteroviral nucleic acid. Preferably, enteroviral RNA is detected in a biological sample using real-time PCR techniques that can detect the increasing presence of an amplification product while amplification occurs.