A novel immunosensor for herpes viruses.

We have developed a reusable piezoelectric immunosensor for the detection of the following human herpes viruses: herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and cytomegalovirus. Synthetic peptides, representing different surface antigens of the five viruses, were used to generate virus-specific monoclonal antibodies. Apply an antibody layer via protein A immobilization onto a 10-MHz AT-cut crystal resulted in 5 x 10(4)-1 x 10(9) viruses on the electrode surface in a linear frequency change and a long-term stability of 8 weeks when the modified crystal was stored dry over silica gel blue at room temperature. Under these conditions, the coated crystal can be used 18 times without detectable loss of activity.