Evaluation of the anticomplement immunofluorescence test for detection of antibody to varicella-zoster virus.

The anticomplement immunofluorescence (ACIF) test was compared with complement fixation and fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen procedures for the detection of antibody to varicella-zoster virus. All of 50 sera from pregnant women contained antibody measured by ACIF (titer, greater than or equal to 1:10); only 27 (54%) were positive by complement fixation (P less than 0.01). For 16 paired sera obtained before and after varicella-zoster virus infection and tested by ACIF and fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen, the result agreed in 27 determinations (sensitivity, 94%; specificity, 81%). Of 99 sera submitted for routine determinations of immune status to the virus, 89 showed comparable results for both tests (sensitivity, 92.5%; specificity, 88%). The ACIF test offers a specific and sensitive alternative to the fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen procedure for the detection of antibody to varicella-zoster virus. In addition, the ACIF test is rapid, easy to perform, and uses commercially available reagents.