Detection of antibody to varicella-zoster virus by competitive and IgM-antibody capture immunoassay.

A simple, sensitive, and specific competitive solid phase immunoassay for antibody to varicella-zoster virus (anti-VZV) is described. The assay uses reagents that can easily be prepared and is sparing of viral antigen. Using a solid phase coated with sheep IgG from a serum raised against human mu-Fc, the same reagents will accurately detect anti-VZV IgM. The competitive assay divided sera from children from adults into immune and nonimmune groups that closely correlated with a history of previous VZV illness. It was not affected by the presence or absence of antibody to other herpes viruses. The IgM antibody capture assay demonstrated the presence of anti-VZV IgM in sera from patients with both varicella and zoster and gave negative results in patients with infections unrelated to VZV and in healthy blood donors.