OBJECTIVES:

To isolate and identify human herpesvirus (HHV) strains circulating in healthy individuals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and characterize their acyclovir (ACV) susceptibility.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Fifteen swabs from cutaneous or mucosal lesions were used to inoculate Vero cells for viral propagation. The species of the isolates were identified by amplifying and sequencing a portion of the conserved region of the herpesvirus DNA polymerase gene. ACV susceptibility was determined using dose-response assays.

RESULTS:

HHV strains were isolated from all 15 samples. Ten isolates belonged to species HHV-1 and five to species HHV-2. Susceptibility assays showed that 13 isolates were sensitive to ACV, one had intermediate resistance, and one was resistant.

CONCLUSION:

The results presented in this study demonstrate the circulation of HHV-1 and HHV-2 in healthy individuals in Rio de Janeiro, including ACV-resistant strains, and highlight the need for continued surveillance in the face of the emergence of HHV strains resistant to antiviral drugs used in the treatment of these infections.