Herpes viral culture of a lesion is a test to confirm the presence of herpes simplex virus in a skin sore.

A specimen from a skin lesion (often a genital sore) is collected during the acute phase (worst part) of an outbreak and placed in a special substance called medium.

The specimen may be placed in cell cultures, so they can replicate to help identification, or it may be identified by monoclonal antibodies that detect early antigens of herpes simplex virus.

Serotyping of the virus (to determine whether it's type 1 or 2) may also be done. Results are available within 16 hours to 7 days, depending on the culture method used.

The specimen must be collected during an acute infection.

The specimen is collected by scraping the suspected skin lesion or aspirating fluid from the lesion. This can cause a scraping or sticking sensation. Sometimes a specimen from the throat or eyes is obtained, usually by rubbing a sterile swab against the tissues.

The test is performed to confirm herpes simplex infection. The diagnosis is often made by clinical examination rather than diagnostic testing.

If there is no herpes virus present, none will grow in the culture medium.

Abnormal results may indicate active infection with herpes simplex virus or asymptomatic viral shedding.

Herpes genitalis (genital herpes simplex) is an additional condition under which the test may be performed.

The risks are slight bleeding or infection at the skin lesion site.

Viral culture for herpes is a poor test and is often falsely negative (but extremely rarely falsely positive). That is, even with a negative result, the person could still have herpes.

Newer herpes simplex fluorescent antibody testing may be an alternative. Please consult your doctor.