This is a critical issue because most persons were infected with HSV-1 in infancy and this virus is closely related (50% homology) to HSV-2. Currently available serologic assays specific for HSV-2 are based on one viral antigen, the glycoprotein gG2. This antigen has low homology in HSV-2 and HSV-1 (approximately 35%) and is not very immunogenic. This may explain some of the inconsistencies reported with the use of various gG2 based serologic assays. A serologic assay is needed that is based on another viral antigen which is completely specific for HSV-2 or HSV-1 and is strongly immunogenic.Use of such an assay would resolve these problems and diagnose patients that are missed or improperly diagnosed by the present assays.

AuRx is using its own patented recombinant technology to develop a rapid serological assay for HSV-2 which is based on the protein kinase of the large subunit of HSV-2 ribonucleotide reductase.