Rapid detection of herpes simplex virus with fluorescein-labeled Helix pomatia lectin.
The use of fluorescein-conjugated Helix pomatia lectin was shown to be as effective as fluorescein-conjugated monoclonal antibody reagents for the detection and differentiation of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) in MRC-5 cell culture. Cells infected with HSV-1 generally displayed a pattern of nongranular or diffuse fluorescence, while cells infected with HSV-2 were identified by the production of fluorescent grains and flecks. This unique nonimmunological reagent, when used in combination with low-speed centrifugation, provides a remarkably specific, sensitive, rapid, and cost-effective means to detect HSV-infected MRC-5 or BHK-21 cells as early as 20 h postinoculation. In contrast to the immunofluorescence method, the serotypes of HSV can be differentiated with only one fluorescein-H. pomatia reagent in MRC-5 cell cultures.
Slifkin
M
M
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212.
Cumbie
R
R
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002498:Centrifugation; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral; D005452:Fluoresceins; D006372:Helix, Snails; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D005452:Fluoresceins; C038095:Helix lectin; D037102:Lectins