Comparison of a rapid latex agglutination assay and a fluorescent-antibody technique for the detection of herpes simplex antibody.

A total of 202 serum specimens was tested for the presence of herpes simplex virus antibody using a premarket latex agglutination kit (Wampole) and an indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) technique (electronucleonics). Discrepant results between the two assays were resolved using an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) procedure. The overall sensitivity of the latex was 99.2% with a specificity of 98.5%. The latex agglutination test evaluated is a viable alternative to indirect immunofluorescence for the detection of herpes simplex virus antibody in serum samples.