Detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type-1 IgG and IgM antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

A sensitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is described for detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1, IgG and IgM antibodies. The antigen consisted of a crude extract of HSV infected human foreskin fibroblast cells. Specific horseradish peroxidase conjugated antisera were used to detect total immunoglobulin, IgG and IgM antibodies bound to viral antigen. The substrate was a solution of 5-aminosalicylic acid and hydrogen peroxide, which yielded a readily visible endpoint. Results obtained by the ELISA method were compared with the micro-complement fixation (CF) method on 36 sera. ELISA was shown to be at least 10-20 fold more sensitive than CF, with a correlation coefficient of 0.752 (p less than .001). HSV antibodies in these sera were mainly IgG, although IgM antibodies could also be detected by ELISA. HSV antibodies were not found in 16 cerebrospinal fluids from patients without HSV encephalitis (HSVE). ELISA appears to be a rapid, sensitive, and specific method for demonstration of IgG and IgM HSV antibodies. It may have possible application in the diagnosis of HSVE.