Performance characteristics of a glycoprotein G based oligopeptide (peptide 55) and two different methods using the complete glycoprotein as assays for detection of anti-HSV-2 antibodies in human sera.
Assays for serological diagnosis of HSV-2 infection in clinical settings have been generally available only recently. We wanted to investigate and compare the diagnostic utility of three different ELISAs for detection of anti-HSV-2 IgG antibodies, using intact glycoprotein G or an oligopeptide from a portion of the protein as antigens. HSV-1 negative/HSV-2 negative sera (n = 32), HSV-1 positive/HSV-2 negative sera (n = 30) and sera from HSV-2 culture positive individuals (n = 36), collected at least 6 months after culture verified HSV-2 genital infection were examined. Cut-off values were determined according to the manufacturer's instructions, and also by establishing new cut-off values at the level of highest diagnostic efficiency. Sensitivities and specificities were compared for each assay. In addition, test accuracies were compared using receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) methodology. Establishment of new cut-off values increased the performance characteristics for all three tests. At similarly set cut-off values, the peptide 55 assay showed the highest diagnostic sensitivity (100%) and specificity (98%). All three assays displayed high efficiency and also high agreement between the tests (kappa > 0.85 for all comparisons). The performance of all three assays were satisfactory although the highest efficiency and accuracy was obtained with the peptide 55 assay.
Nilsen
Arvid
A
Department of Dermatology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. arvid.nilsen@haukeland.no
Ulvestad
Elling
E
Marsden
Howard
H
Langeland
Nina
N
Myrmel
Helge
H
Matre
Roald
R
Haarr
Lars
L
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology*; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C045464:glycoprotein G, herpes simplex virus type 2