Solid-phase enzyme-immunoassay for the detection of herpes simplex virus antigens in clinical specimens.

An indirect solid-phase enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) for the detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) antigens in clinical specimens was developed. Rabbits and guinea pigs were hyperimmunized with highly purified nucleocapsids of HSV type 1. Microtitre plates were coated with 0.25 microgram of guinea pig anti-herpes simplex type 1 immunoglobulins per well. Clinical specimens, diluted in phosphate buffered saline containing fetal calf serum and detergents, were sonicated and incubated in the test wells overnight at 37 degrees C. Rabbit anti-HSV immunoglobulins were added as a secondary antibody at a concentration of 3.2 micrograms per well, and peroxidase conjugated swine antibodies against rabbit immunoglobulins, diluted 1:1,000, were used as a fourth layer. Clinical specimens which were sent for virus isolation or for isolation of Chlamydia trachomatis were tested by the developed assay and 20 out of 27 isolation positive specimens were found positive by EIA. Five out of 67 specimens negative by isolation gave positive results by EIA. The specificity of the results was confirmed by a control test using wells coated with normal guinea pig immunoglobulins. The test detected antigens from both serotypes of HSV. Cross reactions with varicella-zoster- or with cytomegalovirus were not found, and antigens from uninfected cells did not result in false positive results.