Elimination of Fc receptor binding of human immunoglobulin G in immunofluorescence assays for herpes simplex virus antibodies.

The binding of human immunoglobulin G by Fc receptors in herpes simplex virus (HSV)-infected cells can cause false-positive interpretations in the immunofluorescence test for HSV antibody. When the infected cell smears were treated with 10% glacial acetic acid for 5 min and rinsed in phosphate-buffered saline before the immunofluorescence test was performed, the Fc receptors were completely inactivated, resulting in a reliable method for HSV antibody detection.