Detection of varicella-zoster viral antigens in clinical specimens by solid-phase enzyme immunoassay.

Forty-two vesicular specimens from patients with a clinical diagnosis of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection were tested in a four-layer solid-phase enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for VZV antigens. Guinea pig and rabbit immunoglobulins to purified VZV nucleocapsids and a commercially obtained conjugate were used as immunoreagents. Thirty-nine specimens were positive by EIA, and the results were verified by a confirmatory test with normal guinea pig immunoglobulins as a first layer. None of 20 specimens reacted in a similar EIA for herpes simplex virus (HSV) antigens. One of 60 specimens from which HSV had veen isolated gave a weak positive reaction in the VZV assay; no reaction was detected after further dilution of the specimen. Of 24 specimens from which VZV isolation was attempted, virus was isolated from eight, but 21 were shown to contain VZV antigen by EIA. Thus this EIA enables a rapid and specific diagnosis of VZV infections.