Evaluation of solubilized herpes simplex virus membrane antigens in diffusion in gel-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DIG-ELISA).

Cell membranes were prepared from herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1-infected cells and solubilized with a low concentration of sodium deoxycholate. The supernatant after ultracentrifugation was used as antigen in a newly developed solid phase assay, diffusion in gel-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DIG-ELISA). Antigen solubilization was almost complete, all HSV glycoproteins were represented, the yield of antigen in the solubilization process was high, and the presence of a detergent, sodium deoxycholate, did not interfere with the adsorption of antigen to the solid phase. DIG-ELISA was compared with the neutralization test for the determination of HSC antibodies and zone diameters showed a good correlation with the titre obtained by the neutralization test.