Type specificity and use of human sera for rapid typing of herpes simplex virus isolates by an indirect peroxidase-labeled antibody technique: a comparison with three other methods.

Human sera from patients showing seroconversion following a primary herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or HSV type 2 (HSV-2) infection, as well as 19S and 7S fractions obtained from the same sera, have been used for typing 191 HSV isolates by an indirect peroxidase-labeled antibody (PLA) method. Typing has also been performed on all of the isolates using a microneutralization (MN) and the indirect hemagglutination (IHA) inhibition test. Furthermore, 30 isolates have been typed by a plaque method. Results obtained with the PLA method was in complete agreement with those of the other two procedures. The PLA method is rapid and simple, offers easy interpretation and a permanent record of results.