The demonstration of cell-associated immunity to viruses. In vitro lymphocyte responsiveness to Varicella-zoster antigen.

The demonstration of in vitro lymphocyte responsiveness to common pediatric viruses has previously been fraught with many technical and conceptual problems. Based upon our prior experience in demonstrating cell-associated immunity to mumps, rubella and measles viruses we illustrate our methodology and conceptual framework by documenting in vitro lymphocyte responsiveness to the Varicella-zoster virus, another ubiquitous virus of childhood. We discuss our approach to the problems of reactivity, specificity and reliability in the use of membrane-associated viral antigens.