Evaluation of a new latex agglutination method for detection of antibody to herpes simplex virus.
A new latex agglutination (LA) test (Wampole Laboratories, Cranbury, N.J.) for detection of antibody to herpes simplex virus was compared with a reference complement fixation (CF) method in a premarket evaluation. Of 102 serum samples tested, 19 were LA negative and CF negative, 79 were LA positive and CF positive, and 4 were LA positive and CF negative. An enzyme immunoassay (M. A. Bioproducts, Walkersville, Md.) performed on the four LA-positive and CF-negative serum samples agreed with LA in all cases. Most LA titers were two to four doubling dilutions higher than CF titers. We conclude that this new LA test is a rapid, sensitive, and simple method for documentation of past infection with herpes simplex virus.
DeGirolami
P C
PC
New England Deaconess Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02215.
Dakos
J
J
Eichelberger
K
K
Biano
S
S
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D003168:Complement Fixation Tests; D006801:Humans; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic