What is the definition or description of: hsv culture?

A lab test.: Hsv stands for herpes simplex virus. To determine whether the virus is present, a specimen from a suspicious lesion is cultured (grown) in a special media containing cells that promotes the growth of the virus. If the virus grows, it is then identified. Most viral cultures have been replaced by direct testing of specimens using molecular diagnostic tests.

Microbiological test: An hsv culture is a microbiology test to determine the presence of live virus in a sample - such as a swab from a herpes skin lesion. The test involves growing the herpes simplex virus in a petri dish that has susceptible cells growing in it. If the virus grows in those living cells, then characteristic changes in the culture plate occur and the virus is detected.