title: Comparison of two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and one rapid immunoblot assay for detection of herpes simplex virus type 2-specific antibodies in serum.
abstract: The sensitivities and specificities of three immunoassays for the detection of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies in serum, including the one-strip rapid immunoblot assay (RIBA; Chiron Corporation) and two indirect enzyme immunosorbent assays (EIA; Gull Laboratories and Centocor), were compared by testing a panel of 1,250 serum samples from individuals attending an outpatient clinic for sexually transmitted diseases. A qualitative agreement among the three assays was observed with 1,080 serum samples (86.4%); 291 of the serum samples (23.3%) were positive, 789 samples (63.1%) were negative, and 170 serum samples (13.6%) gave a discordant result. Results were considered conclusive when a concordant result was obtained with two of three assays. The sensitivities and specificities of the RIBA, the Gull EIA, and the Centocor EIA proved to be 99.2, 99.7, and 89.9% and 97.1, 96.7, and 99.3%, respectively. These results indicate that the Chiron RIBA and the Gull EIA are especially useful and reliable for the detection of HSV-2-specific antibodies in serum.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Virology, University Hospital Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Groen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Van Dijk
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Niesters
authors.forename: W I
authors.initials: WI
authors.lastname: Van Der Meijden
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Osterhaus
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G