Development and use of a type-specific antibody avidity test based on herpes simplex virus type 2 glycoprotein G.
OBJECTIVE
It is difficult to discriminate between lesions resulting from recently acquired versus established genital herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection. Methods not based on history or serum IgM status are needed.


OBJECTIVE
Our goal was to use type-specific gG-2 antibody avidity determinations based on HerpeSelect HSV-2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to identify new infections.


METHODS
Sera (N = 168) from 71 patients with first-episode genital herpes and 45 sera from 21 patients with recurrent episodes were tested.


RESULTS
Median avidity increased from 30.2 in sera drawn </=6 weeks to 54.9 >6 weeks after infection (P <0.001). Patients with recurrent episodes and established HSV-2 infections (median, 6.1 years' duration) had higher avidity antibodies (median, 92.7; range, 55.1-100) than patients after first episodes (median, 33.7; range, 6.4-73.9; P <0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Avidity testing based on HerpeSelect ELISA could be a cost-effective method to identify patients with new HSV-2 infections.
Department of Laboratory Medicine, the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA. rhoda.morrow@seattlechildrens.org
Rhoda Ashley
RA
Morrow
David
D
Friedrich
Elizabeth
E
Krantz
Anna
A
Wald
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D000915:Antibody Affinity; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012008:Recurrence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; D014861:Washington
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C045464:glycoprotein G, herpes simplex virus type 2