The differential diagnosis of herpesvirus infections in man and animals.

The precise number of human and nonhuman herpesviruses is unknown. It is recognized, however, that the complex antigenic components of this group of viruses and their group interrelationships make specific differentiation of certain herpesviruses extremely difficult with routine serologic procedures. The question of differentiating herpes simplex (H. hominis) infection from B virus (H. simiae) infection frequently requires resolution. When SA8, another primate herpesvirus (principally of African primates) is also involved, differentiation becomes more difficult. The serum neutralization (SN) test, currently the procedure of choice for serologic diagnosis, is not without error. A number of factors control its specificity and variability. Neither EIA, RIA nor FA improves the specificity. Polyarcylamide electrophoresis of the highly lethal B virus indicates the presence of antigens (polypeptides and glycoproteins) distinct from those in other herpesviruses, which may aid in the specific diagnosis, particularly when these antigens are used for the production of monoclonal antibody. DNA fragments have been identified in B virus by restriction endonuclease analysis that appear to be unique for this agent in comparison to human herpesviruses types 1 and 2.