B-cell epitopes of varicella-zoster virus glycoprotein II.

B-cell epitopes of varicella-zoster virus glycoprotein II were mapped by means of solid phase ELISA, synthetic oligopeptides (constructed according to the Davison-Scott sequencing of the varicella-zoster virus genome) and sera from varicellae and herpes zoster patients. The individual pattern of antibody peptide binding varied considerably but at least 9 more reactive sites seemed discernible. A 31-mer-peptide corresponding to a hydrophilic segment of the glycoprotein (aa 417-447) was constructed. This peptide reacted with 2 out of 4 varicellae and 5 out of 9 zoster sera, respectively.