ENZYME-LINKED IMMUNOSORBENT-ASSAY FOR DETECTION OF ANTIBODIES TO VARICELLA ZOSTER VIRUS

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  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 16  (2) , 111-117
Abstract
A sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is described for detection of varicella zoster virus (VZV) Ig[immunoglobulin]G antibodies [Ab]. The antigen [Ag] consisted of a sonicated extract of VZV-infected human embryo cells. Goat anti-human IgG peroxidase conjugate was used to detect human IgG bound to viral Ag. The results were compared with those obtained by the indirect peroxidase Ab to membrane Ag technique (IPAMA). Comparison of titers obtained by ELISA, with those obtained by IPAMA in sera of 41 medical students, 6 chickenpox patients and 6 herpes zoster patients, showed good agreement between the tests as to the presence or absence of Ab. ELISA was .apprx. 88 times more sensitive than IPAMA. The specificity and sensitivity of ELISA as compared to other serologic techniques for detection of Ab to VZV is discussed.