Production of herpes simplex virus fluorescein labelled typing reagents

29 herpes simplex virus monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were produced and shown by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIFA) to be HSV type specific or HSV cross reactive. Two HSV-1 and two HSV-2 specific MAbs were selected as HSV typing reagents on the basis of their specificity and the fluorescence pattern produced. When directly conjugated to fluorescein both reagents detected and correctly identified HSV isolates previously typed by restriction endonuclease analysis (REA). No cross reactions were observed with a panel of human viral pathogens. Assessment of these reagents in parallel with the Syva Microtrak Culture Identification/Typing Test indicated 100% concordance for the detection and typing of 80 clinical isolates.