Solid phase radioimmunoassay for identification of Herpesvirus hominis types 1 and 2 from clinical materials

A solid phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) was developed for typing Herpesvirus hominis (HVH) strains isolated from clinical materials, and it also proved to be applicable to the direct detection and typing of HVH antigen in human and animal brain tissue. The procedure utilized virus-infected human fetal diploid cells or brain tissue smears in the bottom of 1-dram glass vials, antigen was detected through the use of intermediate HVH antisera produced in rabbits or hamsters and cross-absorbed with the HVH heterotype, and (125)I-labeled anti-species (rabbit or hamster) globulins produced in goats were used for detection of immune complexes. The cross-absorbed HVH antisera could be used at high dilutions in the RIA test, and they reacted with marked type-specificity in the RIA system. Specificity of the test was also improved by determining and using optimal concentrations of intermediate sera and of (125)I-labeled anti-species globulins. Results of typing HVH isolates by the RIA procedure agreed in all instances with those obtained by direct fluorescent antibody staining with cross-absorbed conjugates. The RIA procedure was effective and more sensitive than direct fluorescent antibody for demonstrating and typing HVH antigen directly in smears of infected human brain tissue.