Evaluation of a monoclonal antibody for detection of varicella-zoster virus infections using a shell vial technique.
Standard cell culture and a shell vial technique using a monoclonal antibody were compared for the detection of varicella-zoster virus in 167 mucocutaneous specimens. Of 75 specimens from patients clinically diagnosed with varicella or zoster, a total of 40 (53.3%) were positive by either method (4 positive only by conventional culture and 4 only by shell vial). No false-positive results were obtained with shell vials stained after 48 h of incubation. This technique is rapid, 100% specific, and should be a good alternative to cell culture. Both techniques are equally influenced by antiviral treatment or by the time of evolution of disease.
Pérez
J L
JL
Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Princeps d'Espanya, Ciutat Sanitària i Universitària de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain.
Niubò
J
J
Mariscal
D
D
Tubaú
F
F
Salvà
J
J
Martín
R
R
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014776:Virus Cultivation
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000914:Antibodies, Viral