ELISA for detection of group-common and virus-specific antibodies in human and simian sera induced by herpes simplex and related simian viruses

A rapid (3.5 h) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of serum antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and to two antigenically related monkey viruses, simian agent 8 (SA8) and Herpesvirus simiae (B virus). Crude preparations of detergent solubilized infected cells and similarly treated control mock-infected cells served as antigens for coating wells in microplates. Biotinylated protein A and avidin-conjugated alkaline phosphatase were used to detect antibodies in sera from different species (humans, monkeys and rabbits). Three prototype assays are described with three degrees of specificity. Common or specific determinants on the viral antigens could be assayed in simple competition tests using similar antigen preparations to those coating the wells. The specific assays permitted rapid differential serodiagnosis of antibodies to human and simian herpesviruses.