Specificity Differentiation of Herpes Simplex Virus Types 1 and 2 by Indirect Immunofluorescence

• Published in: The Journal of infectious diseases Vol. 130; no. 1; pp. 63 - 66
• Main Authors: Fraser, C. E. O., Melendez, L. V., Simeone, T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States The University of Chicago Press 01.07.1974; University of Chicago Press
• Subjects: Animals; Antibodies; Antibodies, Viral - isolation & purification; Antibody Specificity; Antigens; Antigens, Viral - isolation & purification; Antiserum; Cellular immunity; Epitopes; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Genitalia; Goats; Herpesviridae; Herpesviridae - isolation & purification; Humans; Immune Sera - analysis; Indirect fluorescent antibody technique; Infections; Mathematics; Rabbits; Simplexvirus; Simplexvirus - classification; Simplexvirus - immunology; Viruses
• ISSN: 0022-1899; 1537-6613
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/130.1.63

Cells infected with herpesviruses develop nuclear and cytoplasmic antigens that are detectable by immunofluorescence. Specific antibodies to a type 1 and a type 2 herpes simplex virus were prepared in rabbits and goats, respectively. Reciprocal cross-titrations of these sera were done on antigens of types 1 and 2 by the indirect immunofluorescence technique. The titers obtained were converted to index numbers and inserted into the formula for specificity differentiation. By this means 11 isolates were typed (seven type 1 and four type 2). Sera from patients with type 1 or 2 herpes simplex virus were titrated against viral antigens of types 1 and 2. The titers were applied to the II/I index formula to type the human sera. By these methods indirect immunofluorescence using intracellular antigens was shown to be a useful additional tool for typing herpes simplex viruses and sera of infected persons.