Serologic diagnosis of human infections with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus: Comparative evaluation of seven methods

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Abstract
Different procedures for serodiagnosis of human infections with the lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) virus were compared and those which are reliable and practicable were determined. By use of 46 sera from as many persons who had infection with this virus some time in the past or very recently and of 26 control sera, 7 methods were evaluated. For rapid diagnosis soon after infection, determination of antibody [Ab] by the immunofluorescence procedure may be the method of choice. Of equal reliability, though less easy to perform, is demonstration of sensitizing Ab by a plaque reduction assay, this procedure having the additional advantage of detecting Ab many years after infection, probably for life. For demonstration of neutralizing Ab, 3 of 4 methods analyzed in this study gave the expected information, 2 employing mice, 1 employing [neoplastic fibroblast L] cell cultures for determination of residual infectivity. Neutralizing Ab appeared relatively late after infection and cannot be recommended for demonstration of seroconversion early in convalescence. This Ab presumably persists for life and is well suited to detect infections with this virus if they occurred in the more distant past. The complement fixation test appears of little value for serological diagnosis of infection with LCM virus.

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