Detection of antibodies to human herpesvirus-6 using immunofluorescence assay
1Laboratoire de Bactériologie-Virologie, CERVI, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris.
Insights
This study investigated human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) infection using immunofluorescence assays. The anticomplement immunofluorescence assay (ACIF) proved most suitable for detecting HHV-6 antibodies in about 30% of the population studied.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Serology
Background:
- Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is a common viral infection.
- Serological methods are crucial for diagnosing HHV-6 infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate immunofluorescence assay techniques for HHV-6 serology.
- To determine the prevalence of HHV-6 antibodies in a studied population.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and anticomplement immunofluorescence assay (ACIF).
- ACIF performed on HHV-6 infected HSB2 cells (HBLV strain).
- Serum antibody titers determined by end-point dilution in 115 healthy subjects and 99 patients.
Main Results:
- ACIF demonstrated high specificity and appropriateness for HHV-6 serology.
- Both IFA and ACIF showed identical sensitivity.
- Approximately 30% of the total population exhibited positive HHV-6 antibody titers (≥20).
- No cross-reactivity was observed with other herpesviruses.
Conclusions:
- ACIF is a specific and reliable method for HHV-6 serological testing.
- HHV-6 infection is prevalent in the general population, with significant antibody presence.
Abstract:
A serological study of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) infection was performed by means of immunofluorescence assay on fixed HHV-6-infected cells. Comparison between indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and anticomplement immunofluorescence assay (ACIF) showed that the latter test was the most appropriate for HHV-6 serology, although both methods exhibited identical sensitivity. ACIF, which was performed on HSB2 cells infected with the HBLV strain (provided by S.Z. Salahuddin), was then used to determine the titre of HHV-6 antibodies in serum by end-point dilution. The sera from 115 healthy subjects and 99 patients with presumed viral infection were tested. A similar distribution of HHV-6 titres was evidenced in both cases and the rate of individuals exhibiting a positive titre of 20 and above was about 30% of the whole population studied. No serological cross-reactivity was observed between HHV-6 and other herpesviruses, suggesting that the HHV-6 ACIF test was quite specific.
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