Evaluation of a new latex agglutination method for detection of antibody to herpes simplex virus

A new latex agglutination (LA) test (Wampole Laboratories, Cranbury, N.J.) for detection of antibody to herpes simplex virus was compared with a reference complement fixation (CF) method in a premarket evaluation. Of 102 serum samples tested, 19 were LA negative and CF negative, 79 were LA positive and CF positive, and 4 were LA positive and CF negative. An enzyme immunoassay (M. A. Bioproducts, Walkersville, Md.) performed on the four LA-positive and CF-negative serum samples agreed with LA in all cases. Most LA titers were two to four doubling dilutions higher than CF titers. We conclude that this new LA test is a rapid, sensitive, and simple method for documentation of past infection with herpes simplex virus.