Detection of antibody to varicella‐zoster virus by competitive and IgM‐antibody capture immunoassay

Abstract

A simple, sensitive, and specific competitive solid phase immunoassay for antibody to varicella‐zoster virus (anti‐VZV) is described. The assay uses reagents that can easily be prepared and is sparing of viral antigen. Using a solid phase coated with sheep IgG from a serum raised against human μ‐Fc, the same reagents will accurately detect anti‐VZV IgM.The competitive assay divided sera from children and adults into immune and nonimmune groups that closely correlated with a history of previous VZV illness. It was not affected by the presence or absence of antibody to other herpes viruses. The IgM antibody capture assay demonstrated the presence of anti‐VZV IgM in sera from patients with both varicella and zoster and gave negative results in patients with infections unrelated to VZV and in healthy blood donors.