Differentiation of Serum Antibodies to Herpesvirus Types 1 and 2 by Radioimmunoassay

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Abstract
Antibody against herpes virus types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) was detected in a coded test of 48 coded human sera by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Antibody to antigens shared between the 2 virus types could be removed by adsorption with HSV-1 coated polystyrene allowing detection of HSV-2 specific antibody. No false positives were observed in 18 women at low risk for HSV-2 infection. HSV-2 specific antibody was detected in 10 of 18 women who were at high risk for HSV-2 infection. Antibody to HSV-2 was detected in 3 of 10 asymptomatic women. Biological variation in response to HSV-2 could provide an explanation for those asymptomatic women who were positive by virus isolation, but negative for HSV-2 type specific antibody by RIA.