Differences in the Capacity of Human Serums to Neutralize Herpes Simplex Virus

Abstract

Two types of neuralization tests were performed simultaneously on human serums known to contain antibody to herpes simplex virus. Significant variations in neutralizing capacity were not observed when constant amounts of the undiluted serums were tested against single or multiple concentrations of virus, but fairly wide differences were readily detected when dilutions of the serums were tested against a constant amount of virus. The cutaneous reaction to herpes viral antigen was negative in several patients, all of whom had relatively low titers of antibody in their serums. The significance of these findings is discussed.