[Detection of active varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection in patients with neurological complications].

Objectives: When introduced into routine virological diagnosis of nervous system infections, PCR detection of viral DNA revealed the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at much higher rates than expected. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of VZV DNA detection in CSF of patients with neurological symptoms in correlation with their VZV-specific serological findings and clinical symptoms.

Material And Methods: A total of 438 patients followed up in the neurology departments of the Motol and Královské Vinohrady University Hospitals and the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Bulovka University Hospital were screened for the presence of VZV-specific antibodies in serum and intrathecal antibodies in CSF.

[Detection of a mutant HSV-1 in a patient presenting efflorescence on an eye lid].

A 9-month-old boy with impetigious blepharitis of the right eye was admitted to the Department of children and adolescents of the Kralovske Vinohrady University Hospital. NA isolated from lesion fluid was screened using real-time PCR based HSV 1/2 detection kit (Roche). Differentiation between HSV types 1 and 2 in this assay is based on variation of double-stranded DNA melting temperature (Tm), being 54 degrees C +/- 2,5 degrees C for HSV-1 and 66,5 degrees C +/- 2,5 degrees C for HSV-2.

Incidence of human herpes virus 8 (HHV 8) infections in risk groups of the population.

Objective: To identify and to examine the population groups at highest risk of acquiring HHV8 infection.

Material And Methods: Indirect immunofluorescence test (IIF) for detection of IgG antibodies to the lytic antigen of HHV 8.

Results: In total 101 STD patients of a dermatovenerological clinic, 129 HIV - negative homosexual men - who have asked for voluntary HIV testing and 37 patients with repeated blood transfusions were tested.