Herpes Simplex Neutralizing Antibody—Quantitation of the Complement-Dependent Fraction in Different Phases of Adult Human Infection

Abstract

A quantitative analysis of complement dependence in herpes antibody was carried out, using the plaque-reduction technique to test sera from young adults with primary and recurrent herpes. The results suggest the following conclusions: Between one- and two-thirds of neutralizing antibody activity is complement dependent. Neither the fraction of complement-dependent antibody nor the serum complement level varies in the different phases of recurrent herpes in such a manner as to suggest any role of complement in allowing or preventing recurrences. In adult primary herpes, complement-dependent and complement-independent antibody appear together, so that complement dependence cannot be used in the diagnosis during the acute phase.