Common use of inaccurate antibody assays to identify infection status with herpes simplex virus type 2.
In recent proficiency testing of herpes simplex virus type-specific serologic evidence by the College of American Pathologists, commercially available herpes simplex virus antibody assays that were not glycoprotein-G based demonstrated high false-positive rates (14%-88%) for herpes simplex virus type-2 antibodies in sera that were positive for herpes simplex virus type-1 antibodies but negative for herpes simplex virus type-2 antibodies. Herpes simplex virus serologic testing should be performed with only glycoprotein-G-based tests.
Morrow
Rhoda Ashley
RA
Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 98195, USA.
Brown
Zane A
ZA
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000379:methods; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C045464:glycoprotein G, herpes simplex virus type 2